In a stunning display of unity and resolve, tens of thousands of Brazilians poured into the streets demanding that former president Jair Bolsonaro not be granted amnesty following his conviction for plotting a coup. The far-right leader was sentenced to 27 years in prison earlier this month for illegally attempting to maintain power after losing the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

On Sunday, massive crowds gathered in iconic locations across Brazil, including the bustling beaches of Rio de Janeiro and the vibrant squares of São Paulo, to voice their fierce opposition to any efforts aimed at sparing Bolsonaro from justice. The protests highlighted opposition against his dangerous power grab, which even included an assassination plan targeting Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and a Supreme Court justice.

These pro-democracy demonstrations featured beloved Brazilian artists, including legendary musicians Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, and Gilberto Gil, who valiantly fought against the country’s oppressive military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985. Veloso spoke passionately to the crowd, stating, "The Brazilian people elected Lula – and that's why democracy in Brazil endures." He encouraged demonstrators to fearlessly stand up for their rights, echoing chants of "Sem anistia" ("No amnesty").

Frustration also erupted over recent legislative maneuvers in Brazil’s conservative-dominated lower house, which approved a controversial bill dubbed the "Bandit’s Bill." Critics argue this legislation seeks to shield lawmakers from legal repercussions for alleged crimes.

Stars from various artistic realms, including renowned actor Wagner Moura—famous for his role in Netflix's "Narcos"—also joined the rallies, reaffirming their commitment to democracy. Moura celebrated the pivotal moment following Bolsonaro's conviction, contrasting it with the encroaching authoritarianism seen in countries like the United States under Trump's re-election campaign.

In São Paulo, demonstrators waved a gigantic Brazilian flag in a patriotic rebuttal to foreign interference in Bolsonaro's trial. Local celebrity Fernanda Takai led a rally in Belo Horizonte, denouncing attempts to allow Bolsonaro to evade justice.

In the nation’s capital, Brasília, thousands gathered near Congress and the Supreme Court, sites previously defiled by right-wing extremists during Bolsonaro’s coup attempt on January 8, 2023.

The call for justice and democracy even resonated overseas, with protests taking place in cities such as Berlin, Lisbon, and London, as activists demanded Bolsonaro’s incarceration.

In a poignant reminder of Brazil's past, Buarque drew comparisons to the 1979 amnesty that absolved wrongdoers of military regime crimes, stating that such a repeat is unacceptable. He firmly asserted, "It was the putschists who committed the crime. We [democrats] owe them nothing." This rallying cry has become a defining moment in Brazil's ongoing struggle for democracy.