Thousands protest Brazil against amnesty bill for Bolsonaro amid dispute over coup case

Thousands of Brazilians gathered in cities across the country on Sunday to protest a fast-tracked bill that could grant amnesty to former President Jair Bolsonaro and his co-defendants, as debates over accountability and judicial oversight intensified in Brasília. Bolsonaro, convicted earlier this month of plotting a coup and sentenced to 27 years in prison, remains under house arrest while his lawyers pursue appeals. The protest wave reflected broad public engagement, with unions, social movements and left-wing parties participating and echoing through major urban centers from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo and beyond.

Chanting "no amnesty" and waving signs labeling Congress "shameless," demonstrators argued that lawmakers should not be shielded from accountability. The opposition coalesced around two linked but distinct measures: a fast-tracked amnesty bill for Bolsonaro and his co-defendants, and a constitutional amendment that would make it harder to charge or arrest lawmakers. Critics have dubbed the latter the "Banditry Bill" for purportedly protecting lawmakers from legal action; supporters say the amendment is necessary to shield elected representatives from what they describe as judicial overreach. The constitutional proposal cleared the lower house and now moves to the Senate, where fate is uncertain and partisan dynamics are likely to shape its trajectory.

In Rio de Janeiro, veteran singers Chico Buarque, Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso took the stage at a midday rally, drawing thousands who joined in solidarity with calls for accountability and the defense of democracy. Similar demonstrations unfolded in São Paulo, Brasília and other capitals, with unions and left-wing groups coordinating logistics and mobilizing volunteers to ensure large turnouts in the face of a divided national mood. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva voiced support for the demonstrations in a message on X, saying, "I stand with the Brazilian people. Today's demonstrations show that the population does not want impunity or amnesty." Lula also underscored his stance that he would veto any amnesty bill if it reached his desk, signaling a potential presidential hurdle for backers of the measure.

The protests arrive amid a broader campaign by Bolsonaro allies to secure political protection after the former president’s conviction for attempting to overturn the 2022 election results. Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party has pressed for an amnesty that would shield him and several co-defendants from prison, arguing that a broad amnesty would resolve perceived political persecution. Critics, however, worry that such a move would erode the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent for impunity at the highest levels of government. The political conflict is taking place against the backdrop of Brazil’s constitutional framework, which some opponents say is being tested by efforts to alter the balance between the judiciary and the legislature.

Brazil’s Supreme Court played a central role in ruling on the January 8, 2023, events, when Bolsonaro supporters stormed key government buildings after the election loss. The court concluded that Bolsonaro and seven co-defendants conspired to cling to power, but that the coup attempt failed in part due to insufficient backing from top military leaders. The violence led to more than 1,500 arrests and wide international condemnation, and it continues to frame the country’s political debates as Brazil seeks to consolidate its democratic institutions. The amnesty push, then, is seen by opponents as a test of whether institutions can withstand pressures from political actors who argue they are defending resistance to perceived judicial overreach, while supporters describe the measures as essential to protecting elected representatives from politically motivated prosecutions.

Public opinion in Brazil remains deeply divided. A Datafolha poll released on September 16 showed that 50% of respondents believed Bolsonaro should go to prison, while 43% said he should not be jailed. The survey of 2,005 people underscored a national conversation about accountability, punishment, and the long shadow of the Bolsonaro presidency on Brazilian politics. Analysts say the poll results reflect a country grappling with questions about the appropriate balance between prosecuting past actions and maintaining political stability in the face of a polarized electorate.

The demonstrations also came two weeks after Bolsonaro supporters held counter-protests in several cities, underscoring the enduring polarization surrounding the former president and the legal proceedings against him. The weekend rallies highlighted how Brazilian society remains sharply divided over the proper response to actions taken during Bolsonaro’s term and how to calibrate the role of Parliament in oversight versus protections for elected officials.

As the amnesty measure advances toward the Senate, the coming weeks will be decisive in whether lawmakers back or reject the proposals, and whether Lula’s veto would ultimately block the legislation or whether political maneuvering could override it. Observers say the outcome will have implications for Brazil’s political climate, the stature of its institutions, and the broader struggle over accountability and democratic norms in a country still navigating the aftershocks of a highly contested 2022 election and a controversial presidency.