Demonstrations in Rio, Sao Paulo and Salvador Led by Cultural Icons Reject Fast-Tracked Proposal in Congress
On September 21, 2025, tens of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets in multiple cities, including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Salvador, to protest against a proposed amnesty bill advancing in Congress that may benefit former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence, reports 24brussels.
Amid a wave of protests under the slogan “Congress, Enemy of the People,” demonstrators, including renowned musicians, denounced the Lower Chamber’s approval of an urgent debate on the amnesty bill. This expedited process enables the proposal to advance directly to a floor vote without undergoing committee scrutiny.
Initially, the bill was designed to offer amnesty solely to those involved in the January 8, 2023, riots, when Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed the presidential palace, Congress, and the Supreme Court in an effort to disrupt President Lula da Silva’s inauguration. However, the measure is now being pushed by far-right politicians to extend its coverage to others convicted of coup-related offenses, including Bolsonaro himself, igniting significant outrage among Brazilian citizens.
The protests were prominently led by influential figures in Brazilian music and culture. In Rio, notable artists such as Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, and Gilberto Gil rallied the crowd with a two-hour concert, reaffirming their stance against the amnesty. “No amnesty, and with democracy: that’s a beautiful Brazil,” Veloso declared, countering prior demonstrations filled with Bolsonaro supporters.
Demonstrators in Sao Paulo gathered at the iconic Sao Paulo Museum of Art, unfurling a massive Brazilian flag to symbolize their opposition to the pro-Bolsonaro rallies that featured an American flag on September 7, Brazil’s Independence Day. Although heavy rain rolled in, attendees remained determined, waiting for performances by urban music artists and key political speeches.
In Salvador, protests additionally attracted thousands, where a concert featuring prominent singer Daniela Mercury drew excitement. Mercury’s surprise collaboration with actor Wagner Moura highlighted the protest’s significance. Moura commented, “I want to speak about the extraordinary moment Brazilian democracy is going through, which is an example to the entire world.” Their musical performance resonated with the crowd, amplifying the message of the protests.
Smaller demonstrations occurred in other cities such as Recife, Brasilia, and Belo Horizonte, as well as in international metropolises, including Lisbon, London, and Berlin, where Brazilians abroad expressed solidarity. The proposed amnesty bill must still secure majority approval in the Chamber of Deputies before proceeding to the Senate, with the text remaining under negotiation.