Brazilians Unite Against Bolsonaro's Amnesty Bid: Tens of Thousands Rally Across Country

Tens of Thousands Rally Against Bolsonaro Amnesty in Brazil SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - On Sunday, tens of thousands of Brazilians gathered in major cities across the country to protest against efforts to grant former President Jair Bolsonaro amnesty for his conviction on charges of plotting a coup. The massive demonstrations, which took place in cities such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, saw protesters hoist giant Brazilian flags and chant slogans opposing any attempts to help Bolsonaro escape jail. The far-right populist was sentenced to 27 years in prison earlier this month for attempting to cling to power after losing the 2022 presidential election to his left-wing opponent, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. "This is a clear message from the Brazilian people that they will not tolerate any attempts to undermine democracy," said Maria Luiza Vianna, a protester who attended the rally in Sao Paulo. "Bolsonaro's actions were a threat to our country's stability and we will not let him get away with it." The protests come as right-wing politicians and lawmakers have been pushing for amnesty for Bolsonaro, citing concerns about his health and well-being while in prison. However, many Brazilians are opposed to any efforts to help the former president escape justice. "Bolsonaro's conviction is a reminder that no one is above the law," said Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was targeted by Bolsonaro's coup plot. "We will continue to fight for democracy and against any attempts to undermine our institutions." The background of the protests lies in the tumultuous final months of Bolsonaro's presidency, during which he made several attempts to cling to power despite losing the election. His actions were widely condemned as a threat to democracy and led to his conviction on charges of plotting a coup. In addition to the protests, many Brazilians are also taking to social media to express their opposition to any efforts to grant Bolsonaro amnesty. The hashtag NaoAmnistaBolsonaro (No Amnesty for Bolsonaro) has been trending on Twitter, with many users sharing messages and photos from the protests. The current status of the situation is that the Brazilian government has not yet commented on the protests or the push for amnesty. However, it is clear that the issue will continue to be a major point of contention in the country's politics. As one protester in Sao Paulo noted, "This is not just about Bolsonaro - it's about the future of our democracy and the rule of law in Brazil." *Reporting by Theguardian.*