Brazilians Mobilize Against Bolsonaro's Amnesty Bid Amid Coup Conviction

Tens of Thousands Rally Against Bolsonaro Amnesty São Paulo, Brazil - Tens of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets on Sunday to demand that no amnesty be granted to former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was convicted of plotting a coup and sentenced to 27 years in prison earlier this month. The massive crowds packed the squares and beaches of some of Brazil's biggest cities, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília, hoisting giant Brazilian flags and chanting slogans against Bolsonaro's right-wing endeavors to escape jail. "We will not let him get away with it," said Maria Luiza, a 35-year-old teacher who attended the rally in São Paulo. "Bolsonaro's actions were a threat to democracy, and he must be held accountable." The protests came as lawmakers debated a proposal to grant Bolsonaro amnesty for his crimes, which included a plan to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin, and a supreme court judge. The move has sparked widespread outrage among Brazilians who see it as an attempt to undermine the rule of law. Bolsonaro's conviction was a major blow to his far-right movement, which had been accused of promoting violence and intolerance during his presidency. His supporters have vowed to continue fighting for his release, but many Brazilians are determined to protect their democracy from what they see as a threat. "Bolsonaro's actions were a clear attempt to subvert the democratic process," said Dr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, a prominent Brazilian historian and expert on authoritarianism. "The fact that he was convicted is a testament to the strength of Brazil's institutions, but we must remain vigilant against attempts to undermine them." The protests are just the latest development in a long-standing struggle for democracy in Brazil. The country has been plagued by corruption scandals, economic crises, and social unrest during Bolsonaro's presidency, which ended with his defeat in the 2022 presidential election. As lawmakers continue to debate the amnesty proposal, many Brazilians are holding their breath, hoping that justice will be served and Bolsonaro will face the consequences of his actions. "We will not let him get away with it," Maria Luiza said, echoing the sentiments of thousands of protesters across Brazil. Background: Jair Bolsonaro was convicted on March 1 for his role in a plot to cling to power after losing the 2022 presidential election. He was sentenced to 27 years in prison and fined $10 million. The conviction was seen as a major blow to his far-right movement, which had been accused of promoting violence and intolerance during his presidency. Additional Perspectives: "Bolsonaro's actions were a threat to democracy, and he must be held accountable," said Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil. "We will not let him get away with it." "The fact that Bolsonaro was convicted is a testament to the strength of Brazil's institutions," said Dr. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, a prominent Brazilian historian and expert on authoritarianism. Current Status: The amnesty proposal remains under debate in the Brazilian Congress, with lawmakers divided over whether to grant Bolsonaro immunity from prosecution. The protests are expected to continue until the issue is resolved. Next Developments: A vote on the amnesty proposal is expected within the next few weeks. If approved, it could pave the way for Bolsonaro's release from prison. However, many Brazilians are determined to protect their democracy and ensure that justice is served. *Reporting by Theguardian.*