Protests in Rio, São Paulo, Brasilia and other capitals target Bolsonaro and ‘Congress, enemy of the people’

In Rio and São Paulo, the events started in the afternoon, on Copacabana Beach and Avenida Paulista respectively. On the Rio waterfront there will be performances by various artists, such as Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, similar to what happened in September during a demonstration against the so-called PEC da Blindagem, which ended up being buried in the Senate. Smaller presentations are also planned in the capital São Paulo, where Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency Guilherme Boulos said Congress was “forcing” the people to return to the streets.

In Brasilia, the demonstration took place on the Esplanada dos Ministérios, with a rally at the National Museum, during a march to the National Congress. Supporters of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva gathered with flags of the PT, Psol and PCdoB, the parties that had called for the demonstration, and shouted slogans such as “No amnesty!” and “Bolsonaro in prison”. In addition to the federal capital, demonstrations have also taken place since the morning in cities such as Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Manaus, Belém, Natal, São Luís, João Pessoa, Campo Grande, Maceió, Teresina and Florianópolis.

The Dosimetry bill, approved Wednesday by the Chamber of Deputies, considerably modifies the sanctions applied to people found guilty of the undemocratic acts of January 8 and the putsch plot. The PL modifies the calculation of sanctions applied to crimes against the democratic rule of law and could reduce the sentence of former President Jair Bolsonaro, sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison.

In Copacabana, the political-cultural event which brings together artists, social movements, parties and unions began at the beginning of the afternoon. During the concentration, demonstrators chanted slogans such as “no amnesty” and “Worker, pay attention: Hugo Motta is an enemy of the nation”, in reference to the President of the House, in addition to displaying banners criticizing Congress.

The law also includes other issues, such as the fight against femicide and the defense of the end of 6×1. A sound truck coordinates the mobilization, while groups linked to social movements and trade union centers, such as the CUT and the Frente Povo Sem Medo, organize on site, alongside activists from parties such as the PT, the Psol and the PCdoB.

The organization confirms the participation of artists such as Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Chico Buarque, as well as Paulinho da Viola, Fernanda Abreu, Emicida, Lenin and Tony Bellotto. Musical performances are planned throughout the afternoon, interspersed with public speeches. Speeches begin at 2 p.m. and include federal and state deputies, as well as representatives of national and union entities.

In São Paulo, left-wing parties and unions have called for the event from 2 p.m. The rally takes place in front of Masp, on Avenida Paulista. After a difficult week, with a lack of electricity in several places, the trend is however towards a much smaller demonstration than the September demonstration against the PEC in Blindagem.

Around 42 thousand people were present at this event, according to data from the Cebrap Political Debate Monitor, in partnership with the NGO More in Common. The event pushed members of Congress to bury the proposed amendment to the Constitution which made it difficult to open criminal proceedings against politicians with a mandate.

— They (the Congress) forced us to return to the streets — declared Minister Guilherme Boulos at the start of this Sunday’s demonstration. — We will not accept amnesty, that is today’s message.

This Sunday’s demonstration takes up several elements from three months ago. Criticism focuses mainly on House Speaker Hugo Motta (Republicans), who this week led the review of the dosimetry of sentences for those convicted of a coup d’état, benefiting former President Jair Bolsonaro and high-ranking military officials. Unlike the previous law, it was possible to drive on the sides of the four-lane road, maintaining the common flow of the active tourist spot on weekends.

People brought banners and posters to Paulista under the slogan “Congress, the enemy of the people” and with a direct mention of Motta. Cries of “no amnesty” were raised at all times. An inflatable doll of Bolsonaro in prison uniform was placed next to the electric trio.