UFRN campus protest ends in violence and injuries

A political protest at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) in Natal resulted in physical confrontations between right-wing militants and students on Monday, October 19.

The demonstration, titled ‘Vire à direita: UFRN anti-Lula’, was organized by the ‘Direita UFRN’ movement and included participants such as Federal Deputy General Girão and Councilor Camila Araújo. The group used sound trucks and an inflatable figure of President Lula to criticize the federal government. The protest, which occurred without institutional authorization, led to clashes involving punches, kicks, and shoving, leaving at least one student injured and causing damage to a university gate.

UFRN administration has announced it will take administrative and judicial measures to investigate the violence, property damage, and the interruption of academic activities. The university emphasized that while political divergence is part of democratic life, intimidation and violence are unacceptable. Meanwhile, political actors have traded accusations, with General Girão blaming left-wing protesters for the escalation.