A sign reading “Run like Flávio Bolsonaro” sits on a DJ’s table during the New York City Marathon on Nov. 1. (Foto: Instagram)
A sign on the DJ’s table at the 55th New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 1, drew attention with the message “Run like Flávio Bolsonaro.” The white paper was attached to the DJ’s equipment as he entertained runners at the event.
French photographer, videographer and director Hippolyte Petit posted a video of the sign to his Instagram Stories. The official account of the Workers’ Party in Piauí, Brazil, later reposted it. The video had received more than 200,000 views at the time of the report.
The sign made an ironic reference to Flávio Bolsonaro’s departure from Brazil. The report said the Brazilian senator traveled to the United States by private jet shortly after losing the presidential election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and that the trip was made with help from the Trump administration.
A day earlier, on Halloween, some Brazilians living in the United States shared photos of posters displayed around the city featuring Flávio’s image and the word “Wanted.” The posters described him as a criminal sought by Brazil’s Federal Police for alleged crimes against democracy, an attempted coup, participation in a criminal organization, money laundering, corruption and diversion of public funds, among other offenses.
One poster alleged that Flávio was under investigation for involvement in a plan to weaken Brazil’s democratic institutions, including a coup plot backed by foreign actors and financed and supported by Donald Trump and his allies. It also claimed his actions threatened Brazil’s democracy, rule of law and sovereignty, and said he had escaped Brazil and received a U.S. visa from Trump.
Those claims that Flávio was a fugitive sought by Brazilian authorities were inaccurate, according to the report. Brazil’s Federal Police formally clarified that he was not considered a fugitive, and there was no arrest warrant against him. However, a request had been made to seize his passport, and he had been prohibited from leaving Brazil when he departed.
