Political rally in Belo Horizonte features religious imagery controversy

During a political rally in Belo Horizonte known as ‘Bloco do 22’, supporters of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro gathered alongside figures such as Nikolas Ferreira and Tarcísio de Freitas. The event included religious elements, with participants reciting the Lord’s Prayer and modifying the final segment to say ‘deliver us from the PT’.

Controversy arose regarding an image circulating on social media that appears to show a woman holding a torn flag of Nossa Senhora Aparecida. While some reports claim the woman intentionally tore the religious symbol, available footage has not confirmed the circumstances of the damage.

The incident occurs amid heightened tensions regarding the use of Catholic symbols in the 2026 election campaign. This follows previous disputes where Flávio Bolsonaro denied allegations that he intended to remove the patron saint's title from Brazil, and Supreme Court Minister Flávio Dino ordered a Federal Police investigation into attacks on religious imagery.