São Paulo street preachers confronted by municipal guards at Praça da Sé

Street preachers holding a worship service in São Paulo’s Praça da Sé were approached by municipal civil guards. The guards questioned the gathering and asked the preachers to show the legal basis for the public event. One pastor demanded to see the law, asserting the right to religious freedom.

Pastor Vanderson, founder and leader of the Assembleia de Deus Ministério da Libertação, accused the guards of persecuting evangelicals and said he would consider legal action. He announced a meeting with deputies to discuss the incident, emphasizing that all religions should be allowed to manifest publicly. The confrontation was captured on video and posted on social media, sparking widespread commentary supporting religious liberty and demanding clarification from authorities. After the exchange, the guards left and the worship continued.

The episode highlights tension between municipal enforcement and claims of religious freedom in Brazil’s capital, drawing attention to broader debates over the use of public spaces for religious activities.