On the bustling streets of Brasilia, the air was thick with chants and banners as thousands of Brazilians gathered on September 21, 2025. Their message was clear and loud: “No amnesty.” The protestors, a diverse crowd representing a broad cross-section of Brazilian society, united in opposition to a proposed bill that could grant a pardon to former President Jair Bolsonaro and his allies, all of whom were convicted for their roles in the attempted coup of 2023. The demonstration, captured in striking images and echoed in news coverage across the globe, underscored the deep divisions and high stakes in Brazil’s ongoing political saga.
The protests erupted just days after the lower house of Brazil’s Congress passed a controversial constitutional amendment on September 16, 2025. This amendment, if enacted, would make it significantly more difficult to arrest or initiate criminal proceedings against lawmakers. It’s a move that many see as a direct response to the mounting legal troubles faced by Bolsonaro and his inner circle. Now, with the amendment headed to the Senate for consideration, the nation finds itself at a critical crossroads, with the fate of both its democratic institutions and its embattled former leader hanging in the balance.
According to the Associated Press, the crowds in Brasilia were not only large but also remarkably energized. Protestors waved flags, banged drums, and carried signs denouncing what they viewed as a blatant attempt to undermine justice. The phrase “No amnesty” became a rallying cry, reflecting widespread fears that a pardon would erase accountability for the events of 2023 and set a dangerous precedent for future political crises.
Meanwhile, the legal drama surrounding the Bolsonaro family took a dramatic turn on September 22, 2025, when Brazil’s prosecutor general charged federal lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro—son of the former president—with coercion. The charge is directly linked to the case in which Jair Bolsonaro was convicted for plotting a coup. The prosecutor general’s office did not mince words in its statement, accusing Eduardo Bolsonaro of having “repeatedly sought to subordinate the interests of Brazil and the entire society to his own personal and family agenda.”
This latest development adds another layer of complexity to an already fraught situation. Eduardo Bolsonaro, who moved to the United States earlier in 2025, has been actively seeking support from former U.S. President Donald Trump in an effort to halt the criminal proceedings against his father. He has also claimed credit for influencing the White House’s recent decision to impose 50 percent tariffs on most Brazilian goods—a move that has further strained relations between the two countries and drawn criticism from Brazilian officials.
The younger Bolsonaro’s response to the charges was swift and characteristically combative. He described the accusation as “bogus” and referred to the staff of the prosecutor general’s office as “Moraes’s lackeys,” a pointed jab at Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over Jair Bolsonaro’s trial. Eduardo Bolsonaro told the media that he first learned of the charges through news reports and would wait for formal notification before making a detailed statement.
The timing of the charge has not gone unnoticed. It comes on the heels of new U.S. sanctions imposed on the wife of Justice de Moraes, a move that has further inflamed tensions between the Bolsonaro camp and Brazil’s judiciary. According to Reuters, Eduardo Bolsonaro explicitly linked his indictment to these sanctions, suggesting a coordinated effort to target his family and their political allies.
For many observers, the convergence of these events—the mass protests, the legislative maneuvering, and the legal charges—reflects a broader struggle over the future of Brazilian democracy. On one side are those who argue that holding Bolsonaro and his associates accountable is essential for upholding the rule of law and preventing future abuses of power. On the other are supporters of the former president, who view the prosecutions as politically motivated and see the proposed amnesty as a necessary corrective to what they perceive as judicial overreach.
The debate has spilled over into Brazil’s legislative chambers, where the constitutional amendment passed by the lower house has sparked heated debate. Proponents argue that the measure is needed to protect lawmakers from what they describe as “judicial activism” and ensure the independence of the legislative branch. Critics, however, warn that it would effectively place politicians above the law, undermining the very foundations of democratic accountability.
“This is not just about Bolsonaro,” said one protestor in Brasilia, speaking to the Associated Press. “It’s about whether our democracy will survive. If we allow amnesty for those who tried to overthrow our government, what message does that send to future generations?”
Others, particularly among Bolsonaro’s supporters, see things very differently. They argue that the charges against the former president and his son are part of a broader campaign to silence dissent and criminalize conservative politics. “We’re witnessing a political witch hunt,” said a pro-Bolsonaro activist outside Congress. “The real threat to democracy is the abuse of power by judges and prosecutors.”
As the Senate prepares to take up the amendment, the stakes could hardly be higher. If the measure passes, it could shield not only Bolsonaro and his allies but also future lawmakers from prosecution, fundamentally altering the balance of power in Brazil’s political system. If it fails, the legal reckoning for those involved in the 2023 coup attempt is likely to continue, with unpredictable consequences for the country’s stability.
Internationally, the crisis has drawn attention from both allies and critics of Brazil. The U.S. tariffs, reportedly influenced by Eduardo Bolsonaro’s lobbying efforts, have added an economic dimension to the standoff, complicating Brazil’s relationships with key trading partners. At the same time, the sanctions on Justice de Moraes’s wife highlight the extent to which the conflict has become personal, with legal and political battles spilling over into the private lives of those involved.
Back in Brasilia, the protestors show no signs of backing down. Their message—delivered in chants, signs, and impassioned speeches—resonates far beyond the capital. As the country watches and waits, the outcome of the Senate vote, the fate of the Bolsonaros, and the future of Brazilian democracy remain deeply intertwined. The world, too, is watching, keenly aware that the choices made in Brazil in the coming weeks will echo far beyond its borders.
For now, the streets of Brasilia are alive with the sound of democracy in action—messy, contentious, and more vital than ever.