Take to the streets against the impunity combo

In the dead of night on the 16th and 17th of this week, the Chamber of Deputies, increasingly recognized as "the worst in history," violently insulted the Brazilian people with the approval of two measures: the vote on the Shielding Amendment (PEC 03/2021) and the granting of urgency to the Impunity Bill (PL 2162/2023). The first aims to prevent prior judicial action on investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of members of Parliament – ​​a situation that, after the PEC's approval in the Senate, will only be possible with the authorization of the respective parliamentary chamber and in a secret vote; and the second allows the criminals involved in the coup plot that culminated on January 8, 2023, especially former President Jair Bolsonaro, to be pardoned by the Brazilian State through amnesty. A scandal!

It is an outrageous disrespect towards the Judiciary, which, besides potentially having its decisions thrown in the trash, saw the Supreme Federal Court (STF) reduced to rubble on that 8th day. Disrespect towards both Houses of Parliament, which were also invaded and damaged and would be equally penalized if a state of exception were established in the country. Disrespect towards the Executive branch, also brought down on that infamous day, institutionally threatened, with the possibility of assassinations of the President and Vice-President of the Republic being considered. Disrespect towards the people, who were at the mercy of the possibility of a new dictatorship, right after democratically electing their new leaders. Finally, disrespect towards the Brazilian State, which, by a very narrow margin, did not see its institutions collapse and its democracy crumble.

The Senate has already shown that it will not easily accept the "PEC da Bandidagem" (Amendment to the Constitution regarding banditry) and, likewise, will not tolerate a broad and unrestricted amnesty project for coup plotters. The Supreme Court, through some of its ministers, has also commented on the matter, anticipating that it is not willing to abandon its role as guardian of the Constitution, silently accepting the ongoing attacks. The Executive Branch has also condemned the maneuvers of the deputies. However, it will be the people who will truly make the difference in whether or not these attempts at betrayal advance. 

Only with the people in the streets will the political bleeding that began in the Chamber be stopped. This Sunday (21), demonstrations are being called throughout Brazil to explain to the puppeteers and marionettes of the coup that there is no room for an inch of return on the issues under discussion. No permission to shield those who have not yet committed the crime and already want to escape eventual accountability for crimes they will commit; much less forgiveness for those who have already committed very serious crimes against the State and have accounts to settle with the penal and penitentiary systems. Zero amnesty! Not specific and restricted, much less general and unrestricted. No amnesty, period. 

Just as it will be easy for parliamentarians not to feel intimidated by the sword of Justice, simply by not committing crimes, it would have been perfectly fine for the former president of the country, now under house arrest, already convicted by the First Panel of the Supreme Federal Court in the coup plot, to avoid the unpleasantness he is experiencing; he only needed to have followed the Constitution and the penal laws of the country, without committing multiple crimes. He chose, however, the path of delinquency; therefore, he must pay for the wrongdoings he committed, together with all his accomplices.

There is no need to think twice. Brazilians must take to the streets this Sunday (18) and protest against the ongoing betrayal in the Chamber of Deputies. While putting pressure on the Senate, they will make it clear to deputies that the renewal of their mandates will depend on the respect they have for democracy and the population. In Fortaleza, the gathering will take place at 15:30 pm, on Iracema Beach, in front of the “Iracema Guardiã” monument. Check the location in your city.