NextFin news, On Sunday, September 21, 2025, thousands of protesters gathered in cities across Brazil to oppose a controversial congressional bill that seeks to grant amnesty to individuals involved in the January 8, 2023 coup attempt, including former president Jair Bolsonaro and allied military officers. The protests also targeted a shielding amendment designed to protect lawmakers from criminal investigations.
Demonstrations were organized by popular movements such as the Frente Povo Sem Medo (People Without Fear Front) and supported by left-wing politicians and student unions. Key protest locations included São Paulo's Museum of Art (MASP), Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana, Fortaleza's Iracema Guardian Statue, Curitiba's Boca Maldita, Porto Alegre's Redenção, Recife's Ginásio Pernambuco, Salvador's Morro do Cristo, and Uberlândia's Feira Livre do Bairro Luizote.
The protests were sparked by the advancement of Bill 2162/23, which proposes amnesty for those who participated in politically motivated demonstrations between October 30, 2022, and the date the law is enacted. The bill was fast-tracked by the Chamber of Deputies under the leadership of Chamber president Hugo Motta, who appointed deputy Paulinho da Força as rapporteur to conduct discussions on the bill.
On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the Chamber approved an urgency motion for the bill with 311 votes in favor, 163 against, and seven abstentions, allowing it to be voted on in plenary at any time. This move was criticized by opposition lawmakers and civil society groups who argue that the bill undermines Brazil's democracy by pardoning coup plotters and shielding politicians from accountability.
Left-wing congressman Guilherme Boulos condemned the congressional rush to pass the bill without debate, stating in a social media video that the protests are a response to an affront by the right-wing and congressional majority. State deputy Rosa Amorim described the bill as a continuation of the January 8 coup attempt, warning that forgiving the crimes of Bolsonaro's group would embolden far-right conspiracies against democracy.
Camila Moraes, general secretary of the National Union of Students (UNE), emphasized that the protests aim to pressure Congress to reject the amnesty and instead focus on social policies such as the stalled income tax exemption for low-income earners. Polls indicate that a majority of Brazilians oppose amnesty for Bolsonaro and the January 8 rioters.
Ana Paula Perles, coordinator of Frente Povo Sem Medo, criticized recent congressional developments including Eduardo Bolsonaro's appointment as minority leader despite being abroad and the approval of the shielding amendment. She called the week's events a "horror show" and urged maximum mobilization to block the bill.
The protests on Sunday represent a significant mobilization of civil society against legislative efforts perceived as attempts to shield political actors involved in anti-democratic actions and to grant impunity for serious crimes against the state.
Explore more exclusive insights at nextfin.ai.
