The area of ​​the Southern Military Command of the Army becomes a backyard for fascist troublemakers.

By Jeferson Miola, for 247

For the past eight days, since November 1st, fascist groups attacking democracy have been obstructing several sections of streets in the historic center of Porto Alegre, where the Southern Military Command of the Brazilian Army, the Riverine Captaincy of the Brazilian Navy, and the General Command Headquarters of the Military Brigade are located.

In addition to the police and military commands, the State Court of Auditors of Rio Grande do Sul, an auxiliary body of the Legislative Assembly, is also located in that area.

Anyone strolling through that microregion of the city, which has become a backyard for disgruntled fascists, will encounter fervent patriots praying aloud at the gate of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, located about 30 meters diagonally from the Southern Military Command.

Fervently and clamorously, the patriotic women pray for divine intervention so that the Armed Forces may save the country! One of them, kneeling on the first step of the church gate's staircase, and wearing a Brazilian flag in the style of a "Batman cape," pleads with copious tears for military intervention.

The sound truck plays civic hymns. A few dozen "patriotic canaries," standing for hours on end, repeat them. ad nauseam Slogans against the TSE (Superior Electoral Court) and "Xandão," in support of Bolsonaro and with a plea for "help" from the Armed Forces. Banners with anti-democratic, coup-mongering, and unconstitutional inscriptions adorn the environment.

It's utter chaos. The patriots have a kitchen, sanitary facilities, tents, food, drink, and an efficient supply and provisioning system. They even have an ambulance and medical services.

This is no amateurish act. It's the work of a professional in the field of lockouts against democracy. Nor is it improvised, because it was planned in advance. Fences were provided to protect the horde. It's unclear which institution provided the protective enclosure.

It is an expensive structure that requires robust financing and professionalism. As revealed by Mario Luiz Sarrubbo, Attorney General of São Paulo, "there is a large criminal organization behind" the fascist uprising in that state. A criminal business scheme. Financed by national and foreign criminals.

It's a permanent party there. The occupation maintains a steady number of patriots 24 hours a day, who take turns in shifts and on duty.

That area of ​​the city has become a lawless territory. Although there is a considerable presence of traffic agents from the Porto Alegre City Hall [the "little blue" inspectors from EPTC], municipal guards, military police officers, and soldiers from the Army Police, the commotion unfolds in complete normality, without being disturbed by the friendly police authorities.

The streets, which display signs indicating "serious infraction," "no stopping or parking," "blue zone," "restricted area for authorities," and even "military area," are illegally occupied by vehicles decorated with Bolsonaro's flags and campaign propaganda.

There, "freedom of movement" is total. Patriots use and abuse the "right" to use the streets as they please. No traffic violation, even the most serious, is applied by the authorities who should be upholding traffic laws.

The institutional omission of law enforcement forces, such as the Military Police, the municipal guard, and EPTC (the public transport authority), is clear. And, since it is a "military area," the blatant omission of the Army is also evident.

It is well known that police and military personnel are complicit and collude with those patriots whom the president of the TSE (Superior Electoral Court), Alexandre de Moraes, says "act criminally against democracy and, therefore, should be treated as criminals."

The silence of the State Court of Auditors regarding the situation is strange, even though it is being forced to deal with blocked access to its facilities.

It is far more surprising, however, the leniency and complicity of the Southern Military Command [CMS] with the situation, which fails to safeguard the integrity of the military area as it should.

The Army's CMS is violating Decree-Law No. 1.001 [Military Penal Code] of October 21, 1969, which classifies as crime against military administration, punishable by up to two years in prison, for “entering a fortress, barracks, military establishment, ship, aircraft, hangar or other building.” another place subject to military administration, […]”.

It is utterly absurd that the military area of ​​the Southern Military Command of the Brazilian Army continues to serve as a playground for troublemakers who promote a fascist war against democracy. They are criminals, as the president of the TSE (Superior Electoral Court), Minister Alexandre de Moraes, said. And as such, they should be treated.

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