Brazil’s ‘Devastation Bill’ sparks fresh protests after congress overturns Lula’s vetoes: Video

Demonstrators placed large photographs of lawmakers who backed the move along the avenue, marking each image with a red “X” as residents stopped to look, film and discuss the implications of the vote.

The protest highlighted growing concern among environmental groups and civil society organisations, who argue the changes significantly weaken safeguards designed to protect forests, rivers and Indigenous territories. One demonstrator captured the sentiment of the rally, saying to Viory: “We are here today in the hot sun, always remembering that we are in a climate crisis and we cannot let vetoes as important as Lula's be overturned. We cannot let bills like this pass. We cannot let laws that make environmental law more flexible.”

At the heart of the dispute is Congress’s decision on Thursday to cancel 52 vetoes that Lula had applied to the 2025 Environmental Licensing Law. The vetoes were intended to maintain strict requirements obliging companies to prove that proposed projects would not cause environmental harm before receiving authorisation. Environmental advocates warn that removing these provisions amounts to a sweeping rollback of protections and reduces mandatory consultations with Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian communities.

Supporters of the new law, however, argue that it streamlines bureaucracy, accelerates infrastructure and development projects, and strengthens Brazil’s competitiveness. They insist the updated framework maintains a balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility, a claim strongly rejected by protesters, who say the decision represents a profound step backwards for climate and environmental governance in Brazil.