Mass Protests Sweep Brazil as Citizens Reject Amnesty Proposal for Ex-President Jair Bolsonaro
Tens of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets on Sunday in a powerful show of resistance against a proposed bill that could significantly reduce the prison sentence of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted for plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election results.
Demonstrations erupted in major cities including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and the capital Brasília, as citizens voiced anger over what they see as an attempt to weaken democracy and rewrite accountability. If approved by the Senate later this week, the bill could allow Bolsonaro to seek parole after serving just over two years of his 27-year sentence.
The protests were organized by left-wing groups, civil society activists, and prominent cultural figures. Legendary singer Caetano Veloso was among those who helped mobilize crowds after the conservative-dominated lower house of Congress passed the measure earlier in the week.
Bolsonaro, a far-right leader, was jailed in November after being found guilty of orchestrating efforts to prevent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from assuming office following his election victory. His imprisonment marked a historic moment in Brazil’s democratic journey.
In Rio de Janeiro, nearly 19,000 protesters gathered along the iconic Copacabana Beach, holding banners that read “No Amnesty” and “Congress, Enemy of the People.” Music and speeches filled the air as artists and activists used the stage to demand justice and defend democratic values.
Actress Fernanda Torres, star of Brazil’s first Oscar-winning film Ainda estou aqui (“I’m Still Here”), addressed the crowd passionately. She reminded Congress that Brazilians remain vigilant, standing up for democracy, women’s rights, and the protection of the nation’s forests.
Meanwhile, in São Paulo, an estimated 14,000 people marched down Paulista Avenue, transforming the city’s most famous thoroughfare into a sea of voices calling for accountability. City councilor Keit Lima emphasized that defending democracy means ensuring that those who attempt coups face real consequences.
In Brasília, protesters marched from the National Museum to Congress, warning lawmakers against approving legislation that could also benefit Bolsonaro supporters jailed for storming government buildings on January 8, 2023—an event that mirrored the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
The bill resurfaced amid political maneuvering within Brazil’s conservative movement. Bolsonaro recently endorsed his son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, as a potential successor for the 2026 presidential election. Flávio has suggested he might withdraw from the race if amnesty were granted to his father, highlighting divisions among conservative leaders.
Although President Lula has the authority to veto the bill if it clears the Senate, Congress could still attempt to override such a decision. Many protesters fear that allowing Bolsonaro an early release would undermine Brazil’s Constitution and legal system.
Agronomist Viviane Anjos, speaking at the Brasília protest, warned that freeing Bolsonaro would signal the collapse of justice. “We cannot allow this,” she said firmly. “If he walks free, the rule of law collapses with him.”