Large-scale protests in Brazil against possible Bolsonaro amnesty

Tens of thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets across Brazil to protest against plans in parliament to shield former President Jair Bolsonaro and federal lawmakers from prosecution. The right-wing populist Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison earlier this month for, among other things, plotting a coup. Bolsonaro's supporters who remain in parliament are now trying to secure a pardon for the former president—and possibly for themselves.

Brazil's Lower House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to expedite consideration of an amnesty bill that could overturn the convictions of Bolsonaro and his associates. The expedited process bypasses committee debates that would otherwise be held on the legislation, and would then go directly to a plenary vote.

Massive protests against this took place in dozens of major Brazilian cities on Sunday. The protests were organized by social movements, unions, and left-wing parties. Well-known Brazilians such as musician Gilberto Gil and actor Wagner Moura – who starred in Narcos, among others – also helped mobilize crowds. These are the largest demonstrations organized by the political left in Brazil in years .

House arrest

A preliminary version of the amnesty law would grant pardons to those involved in "political demonstrations" starting October 30, 2022. This would include Bolsonaro and his supporters, who planned a coup after Bolsonaro lost the election to the current center-left President Lula in the fall of 2022. Part of the coup plan was to have Lula, his vice president, and a high-ranking judge assassinated.

US President Donald Trump called the Bolsonaro trial a "political witch hunt." He attempted, among other things, to prevent the prosecution of his right-wing ally by imposing 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian exports to the US, but failed.

The 70-year-old Bolsonaro is currently under house arrest in the capital, Brasília. He has been battling health problems for years. It is therefore expected that his lawyers will try to have his prison sentence commuted to permanent house arrest.