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Nationwide rallies oppose legislation reducing Bolsonaro's sentence
Tens of thousands of Brazilians demonstrated in major cities on Sunday against a proposed bill that could shorten former President Jair Bolsonaro's 27-year prison term to just over two years, according to lawmakers supporting the measure.
Background: Bolsonaro's conviction and coup plot
Bolsonaro, who led Brazil from 2019 to 2022, was sentenced in September after the Supreme Court found him guilty of attempting to orchestrate a coup following his 2022 election defeat to left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The court also determined he was aware of a plot to assassinate Lula.
Though no military coup occurred, his supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília in January 2023, leading to mass arrests. The new bill, if passed, could also reduce sentences for those convicted in the attacks.
Protests draw celebrities and thousands
Demonstrations unfolded in Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Salvador, and São Paulo, with notable figures joining the crowds. In Rio, nearly 19,000 people-including Oscar-winning actor Fernanda Torres and singer Caetano Veloso-gathered at Copacabana Beach to condemn the bill. Another 13,700 marched in São Paulo.
This is not the first public outcry against Bolsonaro. Three months ago, similar protests erupted over calls to pardon him.
Legislative battle ahead
Conservative lawmakers, who hold a majority in the lower house of Congress, fast-tracked the bill last week. It now moves to the Senate, where a vote is expected later this week.
President Lula is likely to veto the legislation, but Congress could override his decision, making its passage uncertain.
What's next
The Senate's decision will determine whether the bill advances to Lula's desk. Protests are expected to continue as the debate intensifies.
