‘No amnesty’ Brazilians march against Bolsonaro

TENS of thousands of Brazilians protested at the weekend against “shameless” lawmakers seeking an amnesty that could benefit former president Jair Bolsonaro, while pushing to shield themselves from criminal charges.

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Bolsonaro was sentenced last week to 27 years in jail for plotting a coup and within days, the conservative-majority Congress had fast-tracked an amnesty bill that could include the far-right leader.

“No amnesty,’ crowds roared in dozens of Brazilian cities, holding up signs and wearing stickers reading “Shameless Congress”.

Protesters were also outraged by what they dubbed the “Banditry Bill” passed this week. The law would require Congress to vote by secret ballot to give the go-ahead for one its own to be charged or arrested.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrated the protests, writing on Instagram: “I stand with the Brazilian people. Today’s demonstrations show that the population does not want impunity or amnesty.”

Tens of thousands attended a “musical protest” on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach in the sweltering heat.