Supporters of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have a dress code – especially on game day. Members of the 140,000-plus crowd who filled – or tried to fill – the Esplanade of Ministries, in central Brasília, on September 7 were mostly bedecked in yellow, green, and blue. Accepted deviations include black and white, or military-style camouflage. T-shirts and headbands were emblazoned with pro-Bolsonaro slogans, most of them referencing the 2022 election, their “undying support” for him, or featured guns. Lots and lots of guns.
Protests always have uniforms. They signal a shared sense of purpose. This time around, though,...