Haddad event at Unicamp descends into chaos with protests and clashes

An event at Unicamp University featuring former Finance Minister and gubernatorial pre-candidate Fernando Haddad was marred by confusion and physical altercations on Thursday. The gathering, intended for discussions on the future of the state and country, was disrupted by members of the MBL (Movimento Brasil Livre).

During Haddad's speech, protesters interrupted him, raising concerns about the INSS scandal. The situation escalated outside the event space, resulting in a physical confrontation between opposing groups. Videos circulating online show pre-candidate Matheus Pereira shouting during Haddad's address and being jeered by attendees. The conflict extended to the vicinity of the university's Academic Directorate, where exchanges of aggression were observed.

Matheus Pereira later shared a video on social media alleging he was kicked by an unidentified man near where Haddad was speaking. The Central Student Directorate (DCE) of Unicamp issued a statement regretting the incident and accusing the protesters of disrespecting university security staff. The DCE claimed right-wing militants intentionally provoked the disruption.

Haddad himself posted on social media about the event, focusing on the positive aspects of engaging with students and faculty, but made no mention of the opposition or the ensuing conflict. His press office also remained silent on the matter. Following the incident, Unicamp shared a guide on its social media channels for the academic community on how to handle provocations and conflicts on campus.