Brazilians Hold Nationwide Protests Against Bill That May Pardon Bolsonaro and His Allies

Protests across Brazil oppose a constitutional amendment that could lead to a pardon for former President Jair Bolsonaro and his allies. The amendment aims to protect lawmakers from arrest, raising concerns about accountability following Bolsonaro's conviction for attempting to overturn the election.

Protests erupted across Brazil on Sunday, spanning all 26 states and the Federal District. Demonstrators voiced their opposition to a potential pardon for former President Jair Bolsonaro and his allies, who were convicted of attempting a coup. The protests gained momentum after the lower house passed a constitutional amendment on Tuesday, making it more difficult to arrest or prosecute lawmakers. This measure now awaits Senate approval.

The following day, the lower house expedited a bill supported by right-wing opposition lawmakers. This bill could potentially grant amnesty to Bolsonaro, his close associates, and hundreds of supporters convicted for their involvement in the January 2023 uprising. Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison on September 11 for trying to retain power after losing the 2022 reelection. He is the first former president in Latin America's largest economy to be convicted of attempting to overturn an election.

Artists Lead Protests Against Pardon Proposal

Some of Brazil's most renowned artists played a significant role in organizing and promoting Sunday's demonstrations. Music icons Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, and Gilberto Gil, known for defying censorship during the 1960s military dictatorship, gathered in Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana neighbourhood to protest. Veloso expressed his outrage over lawmakers voting for a law that shields themselves and their colleagues from prosecution.

"I was outraged by the news that many deputies voted in favor of a shielding law for themselves and their colleagues," Veloso told Brazilian news outlet UOL in an interview published Saturday. "This, along with a proposal for amnesty for the coup plotters. I think I identified with the majority of the Brazilian population, who do not want these things to go through."

Public Figures Voice Concerns Over Political Accountability

Anitta, a superstar born in Rio de Janeiro, also criticized the proposal in a video shared on Instagram. "The people are the ones who shape the country's politics. We have the right and the duty to hold politicians accountable, after all, we vote and they work for the good of the population," she said.

Dulce Oliveira, a 53-year-old teacher who attended the demonstration in Brasilia, echoed Anitta's indignation. "This protest is important because the people need to show them what we want because they are there to represent our needs, not their own," she said.

Protests Highlight Divisions Within Brazil

Brazilian actor Wagner Moura participated in the protest held in Salvador, Bahia. Addressing the crowd from atop a truck, he chose not to discuss legislative proposals but instead highlighted "this extraordinary moment in Brazilian democracy, which serves as an example to the entire world." Sunday's protests were organized by artists and left-wing groups that have faced challenges in mobilizing large crowds compared to right-wing factions.

On September 7, prior to Bolsonaro's Supreme Court trial, thousands of his supporters rallied in his defence. Polls indicate that Brazil remains deeply divided over Bolsonaro's conviction. While a majority supports his imprisonment, a significant portion still backs him. A Datafolha poll released on September 16 revealed that 50 per cent of respondents believe Bolsonaro should be jailed, while 43 per cent disagreed and 7 per cent declined to answer.

The survey interviewed 2,005 people nationwide and had a margin of error of 2 percentage points. Despite these divisions, Sunday's protests underscored widespread public sentiment against pardoning those involved in attempting to undermine democracy.

With inputs from PTI