Tens of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets in major cities on Sunday, voicing their opposition to a controversial bill that could grant amnesty to former President Jair Bolsonaro and his co-defendants. Bolsonaro, who was recently convicted of orchestrating a coup attempt and sentenced to 27 years in prison, remains under house arrest pending appeals. However, his allies in the Chamber of Deputies have expedited legislation that could spare him and his associates from incarceration. Protesters, brandishing placards with messages like ‘shameless Congress’ and ‘the people are sovereign,’ also condemned a constitutional amendment that would complicate criminal proceedings against lawmakers. The amendment, dubbed the ‘Banditry Bill’ by critics, requires secret congressional approval before any legislator can be charged or arrested. Supporters argue it protects lawmakers from ‘judicial overreach,’ while opponents view it as a shield for impunity. The demonstrations, backed by trade unions, social groups, and left-wing parties, drew significant crowds, with over 40,000 attendees in Rio de Janeiro alone. Renowned musicians Chico Buarque, Gilberto Gil, and Caetano Veloso performed at the Rio event, energizing the protesters. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed solidarity with the demonstrators on social media, vowing to veto the amnesty bill if it passes the Senate. The protests highlight the deep polarization in Brazil, with Bolsonaro’s supporters staging counter-demonstrations two weeks prior. The Supreme Court’s ruling on Bolsonaro’s coup attempt, which culminated in the January 2023 storming of government buildings, remains a contentious issue. While 50% of respondents in a recent poll believe Bolsonaro should serve prison time, 43% oppose his incarceration, reflecting the nation’s divided stance on justice and democracy.
Thousands protest in Brazil against bill that could grant Bolsonaro amnesty
