Federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira completed a 240 km walk to Brasília in support of Jair Bolsonaro's freedom, but the event at Praça do Cruzeiro was overshadowed by a lightning strike that injured dozens of supporters. At least 72 people received treatment, with 30 sent to hospitals. Ferreira visited the injured and downplayed the incident as natural.
On Sunday, January 25, federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira (PL-MG) arrived at Praça do Cruzeiro in Brasília after walking 240 km from Paracatu, Minas Gerais, starting on Monday, 19. The event, driven by the imprisonment of former president Jair Bolsonaro, sentenced to 27 years and 3 months for a coup attempt, drew about 18,000 people according to the USP's Monitor do Debate Político, with a peak of 15,800 to 20,100 (12% margin). The DF Public Security Secretariat estimated over 50,000 in the walk to the square, hindered by rain.
Shortly before Ferreira's arrival, around 1 p.m., a lightning bolt struck near the Memorial JK amid heavy rain, injuring waiting protesters. The DF Fire Department treated 72 people, sending 30 to hospitals like Hospital de Base and Regional de Asa Norte; eight were in serious condition. Another Folha estimate reported 89 treatments and 47 hospitalizations, noting symptoms like burns, tachycardia, and hypothermia. Nine victims remained hospitalized that night. Videos show protesters carried to aid, and equipment was removed for safety.
Ferreira spoke from atop a sound truck, challenging Justice Alexandre de Moraes: “Brazil is not afraid of you,” and calling to “awaken the country” from a “terrible nightmare.” He ignored the victims in his speech but later visited Hospital de Base, limping in flip-flops, posing for photos. On Instagram, he said: “I made a point to come here personally, even after 255 km walked. It was a natural incident, not due to our irresponsibility.” He criticized the press for only showing up for the mishap.
Opposition figures like deputy Lindbergh Farias (PT-RJ) accused irresponsibility: “He walked along BR-040 without notifying authorities... Played with people's lives,” demanding a PF investigation. The walk was broadcast on social media like a soap opera, with claims of left-wing infiltration and Ferreira wearing a bulletproof vest. Attendees included PL president Valdemar Costa Neto; Michelle and Flávio Bolsonaro did not attend. The crowd was diverse, with prayers, the national anthem, and banners against Lula and Moraes. Victims like Sabrina Gadea recounted: “It was like a bomb, people fainted.”
