NextFin news, Tens of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets on Sunday, September 21, 2025, across all 26 states and the Federal District to protest a proposed amnesty bill that could pardon former President Jair Bolsonaro and his allies. The bill, known as Bill 2162/23, was fast-tracked by Brazil's lower house of Congress and includes provisions to shield those convicted in the January 8, 2023, coup attempt and other anti-democratic demonstrations from prosecution.
The protests were widespread, with major demonstrations reported in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Salvador, and Belo Horizonte. Civil society groups, artists, union leaders, and ordinary citizens united under slogans such as "No amnesty!" to oppose the bill. Prominent Brazilian musicians including Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, and Gilberto Gil participated in protest concerts, notably on Rio's Copacabana beach.
The bill aims to grant amnesty to Bolsonaro, who is currently convicted and under house arrest for attempting to overturn the 2022 presidential election results, as well as his supporters involved in the Brasília riots and other anti-democratic acts since late 2022. Critics argue that pardoning those involved in the coup attempt would violate constitutional norms and undermine judicial independence.
In addition to the amnesty bill, the lower house recently approved a controversial "Shielding Bill" that would require lawmakers to vote in secret to authorize the arrest or charging of fellow legislators. This measure has been criticized as a move to protect politicians from judicial accountability and has further fueled public outrage.
House Speaker Hugo Motta defended the legislative efforts as necessary to protect parliamentarians from judicial overreach. However, political analysts and opposition figures contend that these bills prioritize lawmakers' interests over pressing social and economic issues facing Brazil.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has publicly vowed to veto the amnesty bill and criticized the "Shielding Bill" as an inappropriate focus for Congress. Both bills now face scrutiny in the Senate, where their future remains uncertain amid growing public debate and protests.
The demonstrations on Sunday reflect deep divisions in Brazilian society over accountability for the 2023 coup attempt and the broader political direction of the country. Protesters warn that granting amnesty would set a dangerous precedent and threaten Brazil's democratic institutions.
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