Brazilian students hold third day of pro-Lula protests across eight states

Brazilian students entered a third consecutive day of protests on Friday across at least eight states, supporting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's re-election bid. The National Union of Students (UNE) called the mobilizations, which took place at universities in Maranhão, Pernambuco, Amapá, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná, and Rio Grande do Sul.

The demonstrations began Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, where thousands marched from Candelária to Cinelândia demanding quality public education, an end to the 6x1 work scale, and preservation of the Pé-de-Meia student aid program. On Thursday, actions expanded to at least 13 states and the Federal District, including São Paulo, Curitiba, Brasília, and Palmas.

“The students will not remain silent in the face of the rise of the far right.”

In Belo Horizonte, thousands gathered at Praça Afonso Arinos on Friday afternoon under the slogan "If Flávio wins, you lose," which topped Brazil's trending topics on X. UNE president Bianca Borges dos Santos said organizing began Monday after the first-round vote, aiming to form university committees and distribute leaflets in opposition strongholds.

Law student João Pedro told Estado de Minas that an opposition victory would threaten public universities, affirmative action, and student aid. Longtime PT supporter Francisco Rosa de Lima, known as Chico do Teatro, attended to defend democracy and the Constitution. Agência Brasil confirmed Wednesday's Rio march demands included public education, social rights, democracy, and ending the 6x1 scale.

Brasil 247 reported the movement grew rapidly after the first round, with Mídia NINJA cataloging over 40 assemblies and acts across 14 states and the Federal District scheduled through October 13. The outlet frames the mobilization as transforming youth anxiety into collective political agency that could revitalize Lula's campaign.