Open Letter to George Washington University opposing the platforming of Jair Bolsonaro

(If you would like to add your name to this letter please click here.)

To Whom It May Concern,

It has recently come to our attention that Brazilian congressman and presidential hopeful Jair Bolsonaro will be speaking at George Washington University on Friday, October 13th 2017, as a part of the Brazil Initiative at the Elliot School. According to a news report published on September 30th by the newspaper Folha de São Paulo, this talk is part of a tour of the US that aims to soften Bolsonaro’s image ahead of the Brazilian presidential election in 2018.

Bolsonaro is a far-right populist who has been called “Brazil’s Donald Trump” and is in second place in current polls regarding the upcoming election. Bolsonaro’s event is part of a tour that seeks to validate him as a viable candidate for the Brazilian presidency and soften his bigoted image to court more liberal voters. We are writing this letter to protest his ability to do so in your institution. By welcoming him into your university and allowing him to speak, your institution would be helping a racist, sexist, homophobic right-wing extremist to achieve international recognition and solidify the political viability of his candidacy, effectively putting vulnerable communities in Brazil in great danger of increased discrimination and violence. This letter was written by Brazilian academics and political activists who are based all over the world, and is signed by academics of other nationalities who are committed to anti-fascist politics and oppose the spread of far-right fascism globally.

Below, is a list of what Bolsonaro has done to earn such a strong condemnation:

1. He has openly praised Brazil’s violent military dictatorship, which killed thousands of people over its 21-year course, and denied Brazilian citizens the right to vote. Bolsonaro effectively endorses fascism and undemocratic practices.
2. He has openly praised Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra, the army colonel responsible for torturing political prisoners, including former president Dilma Rousseff, during the dictatorship.
3. Bolsonaro, in an attempt to disrupt a visit by the “Truth Commission” (which investigates the crimes perpetrated by the military during the dictatorship) to the headquarters of the dictatorship’s intelligence agency (DOI/CODI), pushed and punched fellow congressman Randolfe Rodrigues and later bragged about the fact in the media.
4. He has repeatedly attacked LGBT folks with virulent, hateful comments, openly supported conversion therapy–a widely discredited and inhumane psychological practice–and proclaimed that having a gay son means the parents “should have beaten up the child more often.”
5. Last month, he called for the curators of an LGBT art exhibition to be “executed by firing squad.” In 1999, he called for the sitting president of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, to be executed in the same way.
6. He openly opposes indigenous rights, saying indigenous peoples do not contribute to the economy and thus should not be granted their ancestral lands.
7. He has been convicted of slandering AfroBrazilian communities, having said in a lecture that “they aren’t even good enough to procreate.”
8. Bolsonaro has referred to refugees and immigrants as “the scum of the world.”
9. He is a rape apologist who twice told congresswoman Maria do Rosário, “I wouldn’t rape you. You’re not worth it.”
10. He is openly anti-feminist and has said women should earn less than men because they can become pregnant.

While the signatories of this letter are in favor of free speech, we oppose hate speech and the incitement of violence towards marginalized communities. We don’t know what Bolsonaro will be speaking about in his talk at George Washington University, but the fact stands that allowing him to do so will validate his reputation as a politician and aid him in getting the votes he needs to win the 2018 election. A Bolsonaro presidential term would be absolutely catastrophic for Brazil; it would return the country to fascism and increase hate crimes against people of color, LGBT people and women, who would have even fewer resources to turn to, since these crimes would be sanctioned by the president. For these reasons, we demand that Bolsonaro’s talk be dropped by George Washington University.

Signed,

Nicole Froio, University of York (UK)

Luiza Prado, University of the Arts Berlin (Germany)

Sofia Voloch (Brazil, RJ)

Pedro J S Vieira de Oliveira, University of the Arts Berlin (Germany)

Silveira Neto, GWU Alumni (USA)

Daniela Rodrigues (Brazilian citizen)

Victor Sardenberg, Leibniz Universitaet Hannover (Germany)

Luiz Gustavo Ferreira Zanotello, University of the Arts Berlin (Germany)

Dr. Ivana Ebel, University of Derby (UK)

Petar Kovachev, Uppsala University (Sweden)

Owen Kilfeather, composer

Emily Radosavljevic, Higher School of Economics Moscow (Russia)

Daniel Rourke, Goldsmiths, University of London (UK)

Mauricio Bernardo Da Silva, Independent

Flavia Bonolo Dantas, Texas A&M University (USA)

Rebecca Correa de Souza, University of Hamburg (Germany)

Fabio, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands)

Aline Piva, Council on Hemispheric Affairs (COHA), Washington DC (USA)

Nina Paim, FHNW Academy of Art and Design, Basel (CH)

Catarina Flaksman, RJ

Keli Fernanda Rucco Turina, Universidade Federal do Paraná (Brazil)

Marcia Angélica Ramos Moreno Geão, unaffiliated

Esmeralda Silva Ramos, unaffiliated

Walmir Silva Ramos, unaffiliated

Brian Mier, Brasil Wire

Teodoro Magni, architect

Rafael R Ioris, University of Denver (USA)

James N Green, Brown University

Dan Beeton, Center for Economicn and Policy Research

Dave Thomas, Twitter

Julia Quandt, Woodbury University

Teogenes Silva Peixoto, unaffiliated

Maria de Fatima Silva Peixoto, unaffiliated

Alexandre Hernandes Barrozo, University of Southern California (USA)

Cassandra White, Georgia State University (USA)

Ivan Silva, earth

Richard Batchelor, unaffilliated

Daniel da Mata, Escola de Sociologia e Política de São Paulo (Brazil)

Phil Peterson, University of Manchester (UK)

Maria Jose Silveira Pessoa, economist

Richard Klein, Independent Professional

Izabel Missagia de Mattos, UFRRJ (Brazil)

Ahmed Ansari, Carnegie Mellon University (USA)

Marti McKenna, activist

Paula Dias, Brown University (USA)

Marilia Guimarães, Rede Internacional de Intelectuais em Defesa da Humanidade

Henrique Soares Carneiro, Professor USP (Brazil)

Maria Isabel Martinelli, unaffiliated (Brazil)

Adelia Luciana Rangel, professor and social activist

Andrea Trus, São Paulo (Brazil)

Valeska Holme, NYU (USA)

HALISSON DOS SANTOS PAES, unaffiliated (Brazil)

Carlos Henrique Pereira, musician

Ethel Kosminsky, retired, UNESP-Marilia (Brazil)

Noah Berlatsky,  just a citizen

Rosa Maria Godoy Silveira, Universidade Federal da Paraíba/Núcleo de Cidadania, Políticas Públicas e Direitos Humanos (Brazil)

Keith Jones, unaffiliated

Marisa S Siqueira Reichlmair, unaffiliated

Maria de Lurdes Oliveira, Partido dos Trabalhadores (Brazil)

Mayara Barros, unaffiliated (Brazil)

Bruno Lucena, PUC-Rio (Brazil)

Anna Hill, unaffiliated (UK)

Patricia Ribeiro, São Paulo (Brazil)

Mariana Camargo, UCLA (USA)

Marina Cortez, UFRJ e Fiocruz (Brazil)

Camila Matsubara, Kingston University (UK)

Juliana Moraes, American University (AU) alumni (USA)

Marco Schneider, Ibict and Uff (Brazil)

Vinicius Canzi, UFRJ (Brazil)

Bruno Pegorari, Full Time Researcher at Global Law Study center, Getulio Vargas Foundation School of Law, São Paulo (Brazil)

Silvia Gonçalves de Barros, unaffiliated

Marly G. Barros, unaffiliated

Olny Freitas, psicanalista

Zamira Froio, unaffiliated

Angela Siqueira, Universidade Federal Fluminense (Brazil)

Dijaci David de Oliveira, Universidade Federal de Goiás (Brazil)

Mariza Almeida, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Dave Dowhaniuk, academic and artist

Gustavo Requena Santos, unaffiliated (Brazil)

Rita Lima, Ufrb/ Centro de Artes e Letras – CAHL (Brazil

Ivan Capeller, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Gabriel de Andrade, Brighton Metropolitan College (UK)

Veronica Slobodian, Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil)

Luis Roberto Ribeiro, educational researcher

Alexandre Moreira, unaffiliated (Brazil)

Camilla Cunha Alves, unaffiliated (Brazil)

Pablo Peixoto de Lima, unaffiliated (Alagoas, Brazil)

Zângara Lourival Sasse, unaffiliated

William Cox, unaffiliated

Maria Conceicao, unaffiliated

Jose Miguel Arias Neto, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (Brazil)

Ariane Garcia, unaffiliated

Claudio Daflon, University of Connecticut (USA)

Marcelo Henrique Romano Tragtenberg, Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil)

Paula Zimbres, University of Brasília (Brazil)

Rute Andrade dos Santos, UFT (Brazil)

Omar Bento, unaffiliated

Vivaldo Santos, Georgetown University (USA)

Marbia Fernandes, unaffiliated (Brazil)

Marina Miranda, unaffiliated

Natalie Anderson, University of New Mexico (USA)

Mara Regina do Nascimento, Universidade Federal de Uberlandia (Brazil)

Daniela Mattos-Turcinov, Democratic Party

Eduardo Prandi, City University of New York (USA)

Margarete M Chiapinotto Noro, IFSUL Campus Sapucaia do Sul, RS (Brazil)

Cristiane Costa,  UFRJ (Brazil)

Charles Walker, UC Davis (USA)

Misha Klein, University of Oklahoma (USA)

Murilo Fadil, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (Brasil)

Sydney Smith, University of Maryland

Noland Smith, unaffilliated

Aglaia de Biagi Souza, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Maria Carolina Aragão, University of Texas at Austin (USA)

Kelly LaFramboise, University of Oklahoma (USA)

Defend Democracy in Brazil, Independent activist group (Brazil)

Simone Valdete dos Santos, professor at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)

Eliza Morinak, Universidade Federal da Bahia (Brazil)

Sergio Cesario, international journalist, NYU allumni (USA)

Fabio de Sa e Silva, Assistant Professor of International Studies and Wick Cary Professor of Brazilian Studies, University of Oklahoma (USA)

Matthew Kiem, unaffilliated (AU)

Rosangela Gonçalves Soromenho, FMU/Escola de Sociologia e Política de São Paulo (Brazil)

Bethania Assu, Pontificial Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Livio Sansone, Ufba (Brazil)

Aldrin Castellucci, Universidade do Estado da Bahia – UNEB (Brazil)

Fernanda A. C. Martins, Universidade  Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia (Brazil)

Marcelo Rodrigues de Melo Sant Anna, unaffilliated

Felipe Voloch, University of Canterbury (New Zealand)

Cleide Martins Silva, professor (Brazil)

Natalia Jacovkis, Xavier University

Tatiana, unaffilliated

Camila Maroja, Colgate University

Juliana Gonzaga Jayme, PUC Minas (Brazil

Sandie Holguin, University of Oklahoma (USA)

Miliandre Garcia, UEL

Daniel Correa, Coletivo BRADO-NY  (USA)

Jaqueline Rocha, Astrajur

Maria Alexandra Virote, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)

Cecilia de Mello e Souza, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Fernanda de Carvalho Rocha, unaffilliated (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil)

Anita de Carvalho Rocha, Ministério da Saúde (Brazil)

Ricardo Casco, Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil)

Tania Cypriano, Viva Pictures, New York (USA)

Luciene Monteiro, unaffilliated  (Brazil)

Mahyná Cristina Medeiros, Universidade Estácio de Sá – Licenciatura em Letras/Língua Portuguesa (Brazil)

Anna Ly Anula, unaffilliated

Maria Josephina Facciolla Rubino, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Andreia Vizeu, unaffilliated

Jetther Bineli, FESP (Brazil)

Monica Malta, Johns Hopkins University (USA)

Rafaela Elaine Barbosa, unaffilliated  (Brazil)

Tania Maria Bessone, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Rosana Maffacciolli, UFRGS (Brazil)

Débora Bezerra de Melo, Faculdade Uninove (Brazil)

Daniel Hunt, Brasil Wire

Ana Lucia Vieira, unaffilliated

Marta Nobre de Alcântara (UNA University-MG-Brasil)

Regina Camargo, Graduate student/educator, San Francisco State University (USA)

Rubens Mascarenhas Neto, UNICAMP

George Avelino, Fundação Getulio Vargas

Luis Otavio Calagian, unaffilliated

Sarkis Calagian, unaffilliated

Maria T.B. Nascimento, unaffilliated

Vânia Penha-Lopes, Bloomfield College (USA)

Safira Elza Moura Caldas, unaffilliated

Antonio Caldas e Benedita Moura  Caldas, unaffilliated

Meme Salazar Rodriguez, Northwestern University (USA)

Laura Kolb-Araujo, unaffilliated

Liliana Geraldini Falabella, unaffilliated

Francisco Bento Lustosa, State University of Rio de Janeiro (BRA)/ Clemson University (USA)

Zoe Samudzi, University of California, San Francisco (USA)

ana pinto, unaffilliated

Jade Miranda, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Michael Gale, Yale University

Carla Oliveira de Carvalho, unaffilliated (Vancouver, Canada)

Vladimir Sacchetta, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Mario Mieli, Imediata.org

Marcelo Raimundo da Silva, Office of the Vice President for Research, University of Campinas/UNICAMP

Taciana Wiazovski, historiadora (São Paulo -SP)

Karoline Melo, UECE

Mariza Monteiro Borges, Universidade de Brasília

Maria Luiza Heilborn, Rio de Janeiro State University

Beatriz Silveira de Arruda, Brown University

Otávio Calile, Universidade de Brasília

Luiz Moraes, unaffiliated

Gabriela Calazans, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo (BR)

Yara Thornton, unaffilliated

Tristan Schultz, unaffilliated (Australia)

Jamie O’Quinn, University of Texas at Austin (USA)

Fernando Barletta, photographer

Nohora Arrieta, Georgetown University (USA)

Pedro Meira Monteiro, Princeton University

Cecília Santos, University of San Francisco

Michael Garica, University of Texas at Austin

Marcos Roberto Vieira Garcia, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil

Ricardo Silva, Unesp

Willyam Thums, Georgetown University

Henrique C Nardi, Ufrgs

Glauci Souza, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Marcos Khoury, PUC São Paulo

Lorraine Leu, University of Texas at Austin

Isabel Quintana, Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Cody Alexander Williams, University of Oklahoma

Humberto Silva Villela, unaffilliated

Matheus Assad Aggio, University of São Paulo (BRA)

Dylan Blau Edelstein, Princeton University

Rodrigo Lisboa Mirco, Cégep de Sainte-Foy (Québec-Canada)

Erica de Mello Silva, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Brazil

Rocío Ferreira, DePaul University

Lucas Ascari, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Oswaldo Suzuki, unaffiliated

Leila Perez, Peace Now, Breaking Silence

Beatriz Carlini, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

Flavio Wittlin, MD & Health Educator – Brazil

Mateus Gonçalves, student

Nathaniel Sumimoto, GWU

Peter Ewing, GW Law

Bruno Carvalho, Princeton University

William Schwaller, Temple University

Nadia Comani, Defend Democracy in Brazil (NY- USA)

Eduarda Araujo, Brown University ’15

Angela Wittich, Psychiatrist Rio de janeiro Brasil

Monique Rodrigues Balbuena, University of Oregon

Solange M J Ribeiro, unaffilliated

Carolina Montebelo Barcelos, PUC-Rio

Jose Maria Gf. Carranza, unaffiliated

Adriano Magesky, unaffiliated (Brazil)

Virginia Moking, unaffiliated

Anderson Mesquita, Federal University of Ceará Alumnus (Brazil)

Carolina Bettarello, unaffiliated

Joanneliese de Lucas Freitas, Universidade Federal do Paraná

Marta Cocco, King’s College (UK)

oscar broughton, Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University Berlin (Germany)

Cristina Emmel, Basel

Luís Felipe Rios, UFPE

Julia Valle, Aalto University (FIN)

Iolanda Aparecida Da Silva Proença, PT

Joana Dias, unaffilliated

Cristina Martins Siqueira, unaffilliated

Evandro Bastos Sathler, Lawyer

Maria Lucia S. Moura, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Rhanielly Pereira do Nascimento Pinto, unaffilliated

Anita Campos, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Lívia Porto, unaffilliated

Sílvia Cabral Teresa, Brown University

Dirceu Luiz Hermann, IFG (Águas Lindas de Goiás – Brazil)

Juliana Fernandes, Universidade de Fortaleza

Gabriele de Souza, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Gustavo Venturi, University of São Paulo

Leonardo Custodio, University of Tampere (Finland)

Francine Oliveira, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (Brazil)

Arihana Marreiro, unaffiliated

Heidi Bautista Velasquez, Unaffiliated

Des O’Loughlin, UK Labour Party member and UNITE member

Maria Lemke, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Onofre Rodrigues de Miranda, Universidade de Brasília (Brazil)

Jorge A. Beloqui, Inst. of Mathematics and Statistics-University of São Paulo (Brazil)

Camila Govedice Santos, unaffilliated

Zelia Laroca Govedice, unaffilliated

Vitor Duarte Lage, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ (Brazil)

mary cherry, unaffiliated

Nicole Legnani, Princeton University (USA)

Monika Liborio-Walker, Coletivo Boston Contra o Golpe (USA)

Zilda Aparecida Pereira Del Prette, Universidade Federal de São Carlos (Brazil)

Maurício Tombini, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Joatan Preis Dutra, Bauhaus-University Weimar (GER)

Sonia, unaffilliated

Marco Aurelio Maximo Prado, Federal University of Minas Gerais

Elainy Lima, Emerson College (USA)

Patrícia Izar, USP (Brazil)

Corina Sanchez, unaffilliated (Atlanta, GA, USA)

Fernanda Kray , unaffilliated

Marcia Paraquett, Universidade Federal da Bahia (Brazil)

Ksarah Nance, University of York Alumni (UK)

Tucker Landesman, George Washington University, Elliott School (alum)

Andrea Presotto, Salisbury University

Ricardo Mitsuo Tariki, lawyer (São Paulo, Brazil)

José Olinda Braga, Universidade Federal do Ceará (Brazil)

Nívia Maria Assunção Costa, UnB/Georgetown University/IFG

JACI AUGUSTA NEVES DE SOUZA, Centro Universitário Luterano de Palmas – CEULP/ULBRA (Brazil)

Paulo Meireles, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Domingos Savio, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Mari Julieboe, unaffilliated

Maria Cristina Antunes, Professor at Master Psychology – Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná (Brazil)

THAYZ ATHAYDE, UERJ (Brazil)

Richard Parker, Columbia University

Matias López, Harvard University and UC Chile

Patrícia Brandão da Silva, unaffilliated

Cassia Maria Buchalla, University of São Paulo

Clarissa Reis Guimarães, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Jan Billand, PhD. Universidade de São Paulo

Vera Lucia Decnop Coelho, retired professor, Universidade de Brasília

Roberta Lima Ferreira, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Helena Soares, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Amanda Dias, EHESS (France)

Felipe Leitão da Silva, Faculdades Integradas Hélio Alonso

Geovanna Giannini, PUC-Rio (Brazil)

Kenneth Camargo, UERJ

Perla wermelinger Neri Barbosa, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Cristal Muniz, Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (Alumni) (SC)

Farrin Sofield, The Evergreen State College (USA)

Antonio Pedro Melo da Cunha Bello, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Leonardo Melo, unaffilliated

Max Panconesi, Warren Wilson College

Maisa Cruz, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Mariana Gadelha, unaffilliated

Victor Damasceno Toscano Costa, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Carla Cristina Pasquale, unaffilliated

Roberto Bassi Ribeiro Soares, unaffilliated

Alcides Ribeiro Soares, unaffilliated

Antonio Ribeiro Tupinamba, UFCeará (Brazil)

Jade, unaffilliated (Brazil, Santa Catarina)

Joell Royal, Howard Univeristy

Samuel Goldenberg, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation

José Ricardo Ayres, Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil

luciana coelho, coletivo boston contra o golpe

Sophie Sawaya MacArthur, Concordia University

Rodrigo Melo Gallindo, Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira – IMIP, Recife – PE – Brazil

Eliana Miura Zucchi, Universidade Católica de Santos, Santos, SP, Brasil

Bruna Castaman, unaffilliated

Lucas Pereira Marques, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Leticia santos, unaffilliated

Leandro Uchoas, unaffilliated

Bernardo Furrer, SMS

Joana Gomes, unaffilliated

Leticia Ferreira, The New School (NY, USA)

Marcos Aspahn, unaffilliated

Maria Camila Avelino Silveira, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Natacha Klein Käfer, Freie Universität Berlin

Vinicius Paiva, UFRJ (Brazil)

Roberta Borges, UFMS

Sanita Fontanella, unaffilliated (UK)

Rodrigo Elias, Unicarioca (Brazil)

Valter da Mata, Conselho Regional de Psicologia da Bahia (Brazil)

Debora Ferreira, Utah Valley University (USA)

Mário Scheffer, Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil)

Irene Chaves, unaffilliated

Danah Abdulla, London College of Communication, University of the Arts London

Victoria Saramago, University of Chicago

Leonardo Affonso de Miranda Pereira, PUC-Rio (Brazil)

Laura Waisbich, Cambridge University

Ada Siqueira, Georgetown University

Jen Berg, Rice University

Rasigan Maharajh, Institute for Economic Research on Innovation (RSA)

Bernadete Lou, Freelance Photographer

Matheus De Pasquali, Sociologist

Elise Dessotti, Ufscar

Regina Figueiredo, Instituto de Saúde – São Paulo (Brazil)

Antonio Barros, Université Nice Sophia-Antipolis (France)

Emer McHugh, National University of Ireland, Galway

ligia mcs rodrigues, Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Fisicas (Brazil)

Rogéria Fernandes do Nascimento, UFSCar

Denise Spitzer, University of Ottawa

Sandra Araujo, unaffilliated

Larissa Chacon Dória, Leiden University – Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Andressa Pereira (SP)

Ayla Tiago, Citizen

Marijane Vieira Lisboa, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo

Manfred Koch, GEW (Germany)

Rita Carvalho, unaffilliated

Felipe Barcelos de Aquino Ney, EBA / UFRJ

Sara Galery, Basel, Switzerland

William C. Smith, University of Miami (USA)

CeliaMaria Lana-daCosta Zannon (Brasil, Brasilia-DF)

Paulo Fontes, CPDOC/FGV

Marcela Ramos Reichelt

Simone Cavalcante Da Silva, Universidade de Lisboa

Alberto Lopes da Rosa, Ph.D Candidate,Universidade de São Paulo (SP)

Ademir Barros dos Santos, Universidade Federal de São Carlos

David Zinno, Brown University Dept. of Applied Music

Jurandir Malerba, Professor Titular – UFRGS

Daiana de Moura, Universidade Federal de São Carlos

Paris Selinas, Royal College of Art

Simone Kropf, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil

Marina Abreu, (MG)

Cristina Mocellin, LCSW, no affiliation

Caíque Diogo de Oliveira (Brazil)

Eileen Pfeiffer Flores, University of Brasilia

Acácia Cristina Reis de Andrade Brito, Comitê Volta Dilma

André Teodoro Minei, Unesp

Adam Leme, Student

Pedro de Souza, editor (Lisbon, Portugal)

Isabel de Fátima Ferreira Gomes, Advogada

Sandra Regina B.R.Lambais, retired

Alice Soares, PUC MG

Dr Courtney J Campbell, University of Birmingham (UK)

Natalie Ioele, George Washington University

Marcos do Amaral Manfrinato

Alexandra Teixeira, PUC-Rio

Viviane Gomes da Silva, Filh@s e Net@s- Direitos Humanos, Memória, Verdade e Justiça (São Paulo)

Sarah Ingram, GW Student

Cristiane Gonçalves da Silva, Universidade Federal de São Paulo – Baixada
Santista

Gilda Santos Muhlen, UNIR

Fabio Kerche, Casa de Rui Barbosa Foundation

Beatriz Paiva Keller, I B K. Switzerland

Angelica, (São Paulo, Brazil)

Daniela Abade, novelist and screenwriter (BR)

Rita Voss, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

Daniel Limão, none

Leonardo Araujo

Rosane Santiago Cordeiro

Santiago Filmes, Pesquisadora e Produtora

Andre Pagliarini, Brown University

Alexandre Putti (Brazil)

Gabriel Henrique Macedo Guedes, PUC-RIO

Ana Lucia Marchiori, Sindicato dos Advogados de São Paulo (Brazil)

Grossi Bruno (Brazil)

Fábio Borges Brasileiro, Universidade de Brasília/ Coletivo Pretas em Movimento

Marise Chicharo de Farias, No affiliation

Harley Fabiano Moraes Soares Junior, Public Servant (Amazonas, Brasil)

Fabrício do Nascimento, University Federal of San Carlos, Brazil

Frederico Menino, The New School for Social Research

Giuditta Ribeiro (Italy)

Frederico Freitas, North Carolina State University

Juanita Dias Costa, unaffiliated

Marcus Brasileiro, Utah State University

Monique Bonomini

Tatiana Xavier (Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil)

Iris Kantor, University of São Paulo

Alexandre Luiz Arioli, Middle School Teacher, Colégio Cursão (Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil)

George Ciccariello-Maher, Drexel University

Amarilis Piza De Campo, Architect, São Paulo SP

Cristiane Paiva, Usp

Armando Pinto, Ufup Universidade Funilaria e Pintura

Fábio Paschoalin Queiroz, unaffiliated

Alvaro Jarrin, College of the Holy Cross

Roberta Costa, Anthropologist (GEPI UFPA)

Mario Froio, unaffliated

Michel Gherman, UFRJ

Willian Bastos Andrade, Ministerio Publico do Parana

Ivan Henrique de Mattos e Silva, Universidade Federal de São Carlos/Brown University

Daniel Barbo, FFLCH-USP

Benito Schmidt, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Luiziana Sarmento

Luiz Zamprogno

Andrea Carvalho Stark, UFRJ

Maria Leite, University of Florida

Daysa de Mendonça Paula

Martha DAngelo, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Colleen Reeks, Translator

Pamella Vigeant

Pedro Teixeirense, University of Rio de Janeiro

Justin Wayne, People’s Power

Thaynara Roberto, RJ

Dorothy R. Santos, University of California, Santa Cruz (US)

José Afonso Medeiros Souza, Federal University of Pará

Nina Schneider, Global South Study Center (GSSC), Universidade de Colonia

Patricia Garcia (Belo Horizonte, Brazil)

Renata Hardy Muller

Adam Tarleton (UK)

Benjamin Gadagnotto

Vanessa Ferreira, Brazilian citizen

Leila Strazza, NEPAIDS (Brazil)

Gabriel Franco da Rosa, Sindicato dos Advogados de São Paulo

Ana Maria Santeiro

Davi Pinto, FAAP

Ronaldo Kurita (São Paulo, Brazil)

Alexandre Ferreira Velho, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro

Rosângela Félix Aguiar (Fortaleza, CE, Brazil)

André Soares, Unaffiliated

Andrea Murta, Brazilian citizen

Raquel Scarpari, Word Bank/ University of Maryland

Mark Harris, University of St Andrews (UK)

Priscila Izar, Virginia Tech

Eduardo Bittar, University of Brasília

Verena Lima, Universidade de São Paulo

Vicente de Albuquerque Maranhão, Social Media Marketing – A C Campo & Cia Ltda

Edward J. McCaughan, San Francisco State University

Pedro Parga Rodrigues, Unirio

Julio Cesar Maciel

Maria Aparecida de Castro Maciel

Flávio Barros (Recife, PE, Brazil)

Inez Stampa, PUC-Rio

Cleone Augusto R. do Nascimento, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Veit Stumpenhausen, German Language Teacher

Lucia Reis, NYU

Eduardo Piazentine, University of São Paulo (Brazil)

Giovanna Dealtry, UERJ

Camila Love

Mariza C Soares (RJ, Brazil)

Dr. Johnny Lorenz, Montclair State University

Camila Viegas-Lee (Brazil)

Ester Azevedo, Student

Cristina Scheibe Wolff, UFSC/UMass (Brazil/US)

Liliane Heynemann, PUC RJ

Diogo Leite, University of São Paulo

Gabriela Lambais, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar)

Thais Silva Lisbôa, Coletivo LGBT Gaytacazes (UFF)

Suzana Leão (RS, Brazil)

Andre de Lemos Freixo, Federal University of Ouro Preto (Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto) (Brazil)

Mark Hillary, CEO, Carnaby Publishing (São Paulo, Brazil)

Rosa Amanda Strausz, Unaffilliated (Brazil)

Lucas Gazziro, Federal University of São Carlos (BRA)

Henderson Silva (Salt lake City, Utah)

Luísa Abbott Galvão, unaffiliated

Sabrina Fantoni, Georgetown University

Rosana Galindo

José Sergio Leite Lopes, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) (Brazil)

Tedson Souza, Universidade Federal da Bahia

Jany Coeli Rodrigues

Juliana Barros Alves, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo

Johnny Finelon, unaffiliated

Fidan Baycora, The George Washington University

Ana Baldan Fetter, Brazil

Sergio Storch, Organizational Consultant

Gillian McGillivray, York University, Canada

Bruno Sales, UGA / UPenn

Fabio Jarbeson da Silva Trajano, UERJ

Maira Thorley, Freud Museum

Mariana Kaufman, PUC Rio and Fagulha Filmes

Moisés de Freitas Cunha, Instituto Mosaico de São Paulo

Marisa corzanego

Michelle Morais, University of Oklahoma

Ana Paula Barbosa Moreira, UFRJ (RJ, Brazil)

Maria Lúcia Pallares-Burke Center of Latin American Studies, University of Cambridge (UK)

Mirian Weber

Joana Maria Pedro, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Jaína Alves Camargo (SP)

Ana Nogueira, Somerville Public Schools

Rebecca Atencio, Tulane University

Pedro Barral, Environmentalist

Martin Ogolter, SVA

Fabiana Pires Rodrigues de Sousa (Brasília, Brazil)

Roni Filgueiras, Masters Student at UERJ

João Ximenes Braga, Brazilian writer

Maria Eunice Maciel, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Colleen Grablick, Democrat

Carlos Alberto Mattos, Film critic

Jenna Campolieto, George Washington University

Lúcia Rodrigues, Brazilian Journalist

Flor Vargas, UAlbany

Luiz Elguy, Professor do Estado Rio Grande do Sul

Luiz Fabio Alves de Deus, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil

Rafael Lopes Azize, Federal University of Bahia

Joe Oliver, unaffiliated (UK)

Maureen Santos, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro

Gisele Cittadino, PUC-Rio

Roberta Rangel Newlands

Renato Balbim, IPEA Brazil

Júlia Cardoso, George Washington University alumnus and Brazilian citizen (Brasilia)

Tatiane Araújo dos Santos, University Federal of Bahia (BR)

Lissa, USP (Brazil)

Jamil Ferreira, Professor

Irina Karla Bacci, Coletivo de Feministas Lésbicas

Manoel Carlos Pego Saisse, Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia

Aline Yamamoto, Lawyer

Thayse Leal Lima, University of Maryland

Vilma Govedice, Mrs Light Interiors – UK

Marcos Nigro, Psiquiatra São Paulo  Brasil

Roberta Canuto, Brazilian student and journalist

Lian Andrade, Busca Vida Filmes

Claudia Madruga Cunha, UFPR/BR

Rafaella Bettamio, CPDOC-FGV

Wanda Lucia Prado da Silva, University of State of Rio de Janeiro-Brazil

Glauco Machado Caon, unaffiliated (RS, Brazil)

Sidnei J. Munhoz, State University of Maringá (Brazil)

Priscila Kuperman, UFRJ – UNIRIO

Clara Politi, Cultural Producer in São Paulo (Brazil)

Ana Pimentel, Universidade Federal de São João del Rei

Marcia Cidade, UERJ

Jaime Portugheis, University of Campinas

Cecilia Hafers Simon, unaffiliated

Douglas Santos, FFLCH-USP

Antonio Carlos Oliveira Gomes da Silva, UniRitter, Porto Alegre /RS

André Abreu da Silva, Teacher (BR)

Almir Diniz de Carvalho Júnior, Universidade Federal do Amazonas

Lorena Queiroz Oscarina Queiroz, unaffiliated

Julio Cesar Alcides, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (Brazil)

Cláudia  Costa, unaffiliated

Mauricio Cervieri, MBL

Daniela Barreiro, Brazilian citizen

Sarah Wanenchak, University of Maryland (USA), Department of Sociology

Sérgio Leandro Bitencourt, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

André Luis Costa Caboclo, Education

Geraldo Barbosa Jr, Teacher / Blogger

Maria Leônia Chaves de Resende, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei

Manyu Chang, unaffiliated, Curitiba, Brasil

Marcio Junior, unaffiliated

Victor Bursztyn, Northwestern University

Maria Helena Silva, unaffiliated ,São Paulo- Brasil

Rodrigo Da Cunha Pastorello, unaffiliated, Guarujá – SP – Brasil

Sheila Schvarzman, Universidade Anhembi Morumbi

Cesar Teixeira, unaffiliated

Maria Luiza Heilborn, State University of Rio De janeiro

Márcio Caetano, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande – FURG

Sandra da Rocha Moreira Beja, Educação

Marcelo Henrique da Silva, unaffiliated

Pedro Marinho, MAST

Ana Cecília Acioli Lima, Federal University of Alagoas, BR

courtney woods, UNC

Marcio D’Olne Campos, Universidade Estadual de Campinas e http://www.sulear.com.br

Izabel Galindo, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Brasil

Júlio César Monteiro, Prefeitura Municipal de Florianópolis, SC

Florência Costa, journalist (Brazil)

Nicholas Berkowitz, City University of New York

Joao Batista N Gregoire, University of Kansas

Claudia Tatinge Nascimento, Macalester College

Heloisa Marques, unaffiliated (Suisse)

Lucas Zuccolotto Casagrande, Glaucia Zuccolotto Leonardi Casagrande

Gilberto Scofield Jr, Estácio de Sá University

Elena dos Santos, ETH Zurich

namir martins, musiklehrerin, Deutschland

Ana Paula Hofling, University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Fred Morris, Clergy, UMC

L Perkins, USF

Joe Mckechnie, Musician (UK)

Maria Lúcia Alves Ferreira, Just a citizen

Maud Chirio, University of Paris-Est Marne-la-Vallée (France)

Gabriela Matias, VU University, Amsterdam

Antoine Acker, University of Zurich, Switzerland

Graziela Diez Garisto, unaffiliated

Cleber Vicente Goncalves, Businessman/Professional Tour Guide

Renan Nassimbene, Produtor áudio visual

Sérgio Mendes, citizen

Adriana Parra, unaffiliated

Ana Carina Bon Frauches Oliveira, The Francis Crick Institute

Rebeca Grinspum, unaffiliated (Austrália)

Edva Aguilar, PT – São Paulo (Brazil)

Maria Vilar, unaffiliated

Andrea Aguiar, Founder of BeLocal

Monica Gobitta Alayon, PUC Campinas Brasil

valeria  di pietro, unaffiliated

Priscila Fischer, Journalist

Patricia Argento, unaffiliated, Rio de Janeiro – Brasil

Patricia Maya, UFRJ (Brazil)

Marco Antonio Catanho da Silva, unaffiliated

Antonio Celerino da Silva, unaffiliated

Cleuza Catanho da Silva, unaffiliated

Expedito Correia, unaffiliated, São Paulo (BR)

Barbara Assumpção, PUC-Rio (Brasil)

Annelise Schmidt, unaffiliated (Brazil)

Isabel Ferreira, unaffiliated

Fellipe Matheus Bernardino Pereira, University of Brasilia

Dr. Sunny Singh, London Metropolitan University

Stephanie Degreas, unaffiliated

Kylie Sertic, GWU Alumna

André Sanna Castilho, unaffiliated

Kojo Kyerewaa, Against Borders for Children (UK)

Slava Sakhnenko Canadian who emigrated to Brasil

Maria Madalena Mattos Pontes, Engenheira de Alimentos – Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Graça Helena Silva de Souza, Teacher

Elizabeth B Silva, Open University UK

Marta Peixoto, New York University

Alessandra Guerra, Cebrap

Suzanne Caflisch (USA)

Edmar J. Borges, UFSCAR-Sorocaba

Nathaniel Wolfson, Harvard University

Rodrigo Freese Gonzatto, PUCPR

Stephanie Pavam

Inês Dourado, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil

João Caio Ferreira Santos Veiga, Rio de Janeiro State University

Félix de Freitas Gil da Mata

Filipe Mateus Duarte Simões, Instituto de Saúde Coletiva da UFBA

Renan Quinalha, Universidade Federal do Estado de São Paulo
Yone Fonseca, USP

Eliene Narducci, unaffiliated

Eleonora Menicucci de Oliveira, UNIFESP

Fernando Luna Oliveira, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense

Maria Carolina Stradiotto Farbiarz, UNESP

Adelaide Nardocci, University of Sao Paulo

Miriam Rabelo, UFBA (Brazil)

Andréa Fachel Leal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) – Professor of Sociology and Public Policy

Pedro Fernandes (Rio de Janeiro)

Renan Moser, (Brazil)

Margaret Poe, Bowling Green State University and Temple University Alumnus (USA)

Erika Aragao, Universidade Federal da Bahia

César A. Leal, Ph.D., Retired University Professor

Sergio Baptista da Silva, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (BR)

Ondina Fachel Leal, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) (Porto Alegre, Brazil)

Rose Collins, GW Undergraduates Student

Lígia Mori Madeira, UFRGS

Lindalva de Jesus Macedo (Brasil)

Mahalia Dean, George Washington University

Marcelo Kunrath Silva, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)

Zoe Dorau, GWU

Miriam Vieira da Cunha, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Rosires Deliza (Brazil)

Murilo Pastana, Universidade de Sao Paulo

Marco Aurélio Raeder

Kátia Fernandes (Brazil)

Rodrigo Melo, Student

William Goldsmith, Professor emeritus, Cornell University (USA), former prof UnB, UFCeara

Sean Mitchell (Rutgers-Newark)

Leila Lehnen, University of New Mexico

Gustavo S Gomes, Stanford University (USA)

Guilherme Radomsky, Ufrgs

Paul Firbas, Stony Brook University

Lillian DePaula, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo

Dra. Carmen Rial, Federal University of Santa Catarina

Barbara Weinstein, New York University

Sidney Chalhoub, Harvard University

Veriano Terto Jr., Vice-Director, Brazilian Interdisciplinary Association (ABIA)

Vera Maurity, Unaffilliated

Pedro Paulo Pellegrini Queiroz

Liliana Pellegrini de Oliveira Queiroz

Sylvio de Oliveira Queiroz

Julia Iskin, (Rio de Janeiro)

Giselle Sacchelli Bachstein, CANOA Instituto Socioambiental

Max Mollon, EnsadLab, PSL University, Paris (FR)

Juan Carlos Raxach, Brazilian Interdisciplinary AIDS Association (RJ)

Bianca de Alcântara (Brazil)

Ana Luisa Pires (BR)

Maria Inez do Espírito Santo, Escola Viva

Thiago Reinaldos Silva, University of Sao Paulo

Luisa Iskin, Los Angeles CA

Marcelo Viana Neto, University of California, Santa Cruz

Alex Niche Teixeira, UFRGS

Elisabete Guedes (RJ, Brazil)

Gabriel Carrasco Santo,Journalist

Maria Paula Castilho Fioravanti

Fernanda Paulino de Castilho

Vagner de Almeida, ABIA – Associação Brasielira Interdisciplinar de AIDS

SANDRA BRIGNOL, FEDERAL FLUMINENSE UNIVERSITY

Tianna Paschel, UC Berkeley

Alba Maria de Lourdes a Sousa

Vania Chagas

Sueli Figueiroa, Centro de Educação Tecnológica

Victor Pougy Magalhães, Universidade Federal Fluminense

Maria Luiza de Lavenère Machado

Antonio José Pedral Sampaio Lins, Architect and urbanist, FAU UFRJ (Rio de Janeiro)

Ligia Maria Vieira da Silva, Universidade Federal da Bahia

Thayama Inocêncio Ventura, Instituto Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Mariana Dandara, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas

Millena Camargo Anacleto, Federal University of RS

Gabriela Maya, University of Houston

Rodrigo Sarruge Molina, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas

Julia Paterniani, Citizen

Chantal Cools
Jéssica de Araujo, unaffiliated

Marcia Matos

Cristina Raposo, Independent Public Health Consultant

Paula Correa, BRADO-NY

Valéria Nanci Silva, PhD student, USP (Brazil)

Michelli Vieira, Dallas USA

Helena Campos, Columbia University

Ligia Kerr, Universidade Federal do Ceará

Marcela Monteiro Cavalcanti de Albuquerque, Brazilian citizen

Beatriz Dias (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

João Pulo Braga, Ufrj

Tim Waterman, University of Greenwich

Marcelo Maia, @BRADONYC

Emina Hasanagic, EVS Coordinator (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Aline Lira

Marcos Vinicius de Oliveira Gouvêa, UERJ

Jose E Cogo

Lourenço Barros de Carvalho Pereira, Family Practitioner (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Renato Barreto, UNESP

Maria Silvia Gomes dos Santos (RJ)

Sílvia Altmann, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Naina Pierri Estades, Federal University of Paraná (Brazil)

Luiz Carlos Villalta, UFMG

Gabriela Maya University of Houston

Amanda Cataldo, PUC Rio (Brazil)

Maria Emir Valadão de Matos, Unicamp

Ana Paula Pazzeti, University Of Sao Paulo (USP)

Angela Freiberger, Artist

Walkyria Nóbrega de Oliveira (Campina Grande, PB, Brazil)

Jussara dos Santos Raxlen, New School for Social Research

Ricardo S Lemos RS Lemos, MD PA (Bryan, Texas)

Silvia Stefani, Università di Genova (Italy)

Elisa Vieira, Pucsp

Marcos Toledo Tito, Professor UEL

Ivia Maksud, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro (Brasil)

Letícia Maria Garcia Silva,  PUC-RJ

Marcus Valeria, New York, NY

Denise Espirito Santo, Professor at IERJ (Brazil)

Angelica Barth, UGA

Marina Adams, Artist

Neide Gravato da Silva, Asppe

Renato Marques Teixeira, Kingston University, London

Kathy Swart, unaffilliated

Karyn Pomerantz, GWU

Jacob Griesmer, Central WI Citizens Action

Karin Scarpa, History Teacher, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

Mauricio Drumond, UFRJ

Jane Santos, teacher

Marijana Radovic, unaffiliated

Antonio José Lopes, Maths Education Center, São Paulo

Carlos Carvalho Cavalheiro, EMEF, Coronel Esmédio

Antonio B. Bianchet Jr., Teacher at Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, campus Erechim

Igor Marconi, PR (Brazil)

Jhonatan Uewerton Souza, Instituto Federal do Paraná, IFPR (Brazil)

Michael Ericksen, unaffiliated

Antonio Herculano Lopes, Casa de Rui Barbosa Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Fernanda Frizzo Bragato, Unisinos and Cardozo Law School

Christopher Dunn, Tulane University

Roberto De Freitas, ICAF

cristiane herres terraza, IFB

Sean Purdy, Professor of History, University of São Paulo

Ligia Morris, Anti-NeoFascism Worldwide

Margarita Díaz, President NGO Reprolatina

Polyana Nogueira, Unifatea (BR)

Marina Maia Meireles, Universidade Federal do Piauí

Mateus Desimon, UFRJ

Luiza Machado Franco Siqueira, Brazil

Myriam Marques, Committee Defend Democracy in Brazil NY

Haya Del Bel, UFMT

Fabiana Amaral,  Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Matheus Dantas, Universidade de São Paulo (USP)

Sávio Santos Gomes, Brazil

Luís Gustavo Gomes Ribeiro, Universidade Federal do Maranhão

Daniel Borely Ferreira Torres, Rio de Janeiro / Brasil

Maria Clara Barcelos, FX ANIMATION 3D and Film School (ESP)

Lucas T. Matsukura de Araujo, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)

André Victor Campos, Brasília – DF / Brazil

Nídia Blanco Villela, Brazilian citizen

Bruno Cruz, Engineer, Brazil

Gustavo Henrique de Faria

Sirley Naufal de Faria

Fabíola Attademo, unaffiliated (Brazil)

Vera Maria S. Vieira de Oliveira, CAPS/Agudos

Renata Gomes, UFRB

Ailton Teodoro, USP (São Paulo, Brazil)

Miriam Abramovay, (Flacso, Brazil)

Nadine Saez (CA, USA)

Ana Beatriz Dantas, unaffiliated

Djavan Henrique Reis Godinho, Student

Bruno Siqueira (Brazil)

Jeremy Lehnen, University of New Mexico

Mauricio Souza, UGA Alumni

João G S V de Oliveira, Student at Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)

Carlos R Dos Santos Segundo (CA, USA)

Roger Kittleson, Williams College

N. Tenney Naumer, MBA, MAcc, CPA, EA, Southern Illinois University

Danilo R dos Santos

Jônatas Pantoja, Usp

Elias Salgado, Amazônia Judaica History Archive (Rio de Janeiro, BR)

Cláudio Resende, Professor

Roselaine Kuhn , Universidade Federal de Sergipe

Isaac Vergne

Julia Michaels, Riorealblog

Konrad Gutkowski, LWL

Carmem Saito J Aguiar, independent designer

Colin M. Snider, University of Texas at Tyler

Barbara Harrington, (RJ)

Marcelha Pereira da Silva, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (BR)

Alexandre Rodrigues Brito (Brazil)

Fabiola Rohden, UFRGS

Filipe Miranda

Andreia Vizeu, Independent

Gilberto Alexandre Sobrinho, UNICAMP

Jacqueline Gonçalo, Jornalist

Caio Perroni Gnecco, Unaffliated (Brazil)

Yvonne Rousso (Brazil)

Vilma Rita Homero, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)

Anahi Guedes de Mello, Federal University of Santa Catarina

cecília carmen casemiro, rede nacional feminista de saude

rodolfo minhoto, artisan

Juliana Farias, UERJ

Bruno Puccinelli, Unicamp

Andrei Freitas Teixeira, unaffilliated (Brazil)

Silvio Wittlin, History Teacher

Jordan Wilen, George Washington University

Pablo Lion Castro Silva

Fabiano Seixas Fernandes, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)

Anelise Gutterres, MN/UFRJ (Brasil)

Felipe Camara Azevedo

Dana Brown (Washington, DC)

Regiane Garcia, The University of British Columbia

Marcy Norton, University of Pennsylvania

Katrin Schultheiss, George Washington University

Elisabeth Anker, Professor, GWU

Alex Garcia, Architect (SP, Brazil)

Peter Evans, University of California, Berkeley

Rodrigo Tamburus, (São Paulo, SP, Brazil)

Larissa Silva

Natasha Silva

Catherine Look Frus, No affiliation, a humanist

Alexandre Kuroda, M.Arch. Architectural Association London, 2011

Megan Lewis, GWU

Angela Maria Wiebusch de Faria, BRADO-NYC – Geneva Section

Siobhan Rigg, George Washington University

Aluizio Palmar

Lindalva de Jesus Macedo, (Brazil)

Telma de Oliveira Araujo

José Paes

Rosemeire Rodrigues Silva

Prema Goet, SOAS Uni. Of London

Lucila Vargas (Brazil)

Tadeu Ribeiro da Costa, Brazilian citizen

Irineu Tamaio, UnB

Patrick Luiz Sullivan De Oliveira, Princeton University

Célia Gonçalves, CONEN BRASIL

Paula Reis

Tiago de Barros Cordeiro, Graduate student at Georgetown University

Mariana Malard, Universidade de Brasilia

Neusa Tamaio

Indhira Oliveira Maciel, Federal University of Juiz de Fora

Janaína Diniz, Universidade de Brasília

Maria Elizabeth Segurado, unaffiliated

Teodoro Magni

Sandro Bitencourt Oliveira, (Minas Gerais, Brazil)

Claudia Magni (Brazil)

Lujain Al-Khawi, Engineering Student

Gianpaolo Baiocchi, NYU

Marcos Hill, UFMG Brazil

Marília Malard

Wirben Márcio Lages Ferreira

Rui Alves Grilo

Gabriela, International Institute of Physics -Brazil

Edelweiss Herrmann

Marcio Malard

Elisa Campos, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

Luiz Carlos Vicentini, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Esther Weitzman

If you would like to add your name to this letter please click here.

Response to Bolsonaro’s social media claims

Once again, we want to extend our gratitude to everyone who participated in #StopBolsonaro: those who signed the letter; those who spread the word on social media; those who organized the protests that were to take place if the event went forward; and other supporters around the world.

Since the cancellation was announced, we’ve seen differing reactions on social media. Those of us who oppose Bolsonaro are jubilant! Many Brazilians are tweeting the hashtag #BolsonaroFugiu (Bolsonaro ran away). Bolsonaro’s supporters, however, are claiming that he did well to escape a “leftist trap.” We feel it’s important to highlight the problems with that narrative. First, it was Bolsonaro’s team that originally reached out to GWU. They wanted the prestige that an event at a US university would bring them, but were not willing to participate in an event in which Bolsonaro might be challenged. As Mark Langevin, their host at GWU, put it: “He basically hides beyond social media.”

We opposed this event because of the risk that it might legitimize Bolsonaro. We do not think the hate speech of a fringe candidate from a minor political party is worthy of a platform at a university. However, if his candidacy continues, debate will become necessary. Presidential candidates in Brazil are expected to defend their views in debate with their opponents, and Jair Bolsonaro has never shown himself capable of that. Bolsonaro speaks in front of his sympathizers, in private meetings, and in interviews. But he’s not prepared for an open, democratic debate, in which his extremists views and opinions will be challenged, and where he’ll have to seriously defend his flimsy proposals.

We hope that this episode will once again prove that Bolsonaro is not qualified to run for president of Brazil. His platform is hatred of minorities and a return to a murderous military dictatorship. He himself admits that he has only a “superficial” understanding of the economy. After more than 20 years as a Federal Deputy he has only succeeded in passing 2 bills into law. In small, closed-door meetings he is able to present a more moderate, “Bolso-light” image, but it’s clear that he was unprepared to do so in front of a larger audience, in response to serious questions from an academic. His claim that these questions would be in some way “unfair” only further exposes his cowardice.

As the 2018 presidential campaigns begin in earnest, we hope that our fellow Brazilians will keep this in mind. Bolsonaro may be attempting to change his image, but he remains the same sexist, racist, bigoted coward he has always been. Don’t let your friends and family fall for his act! Remind them of his decades-long record of hate speech and political failure. Where his online fans cry “Bolsomito” (Bolso-myth) show them the reality. #StopBolsonaro!

Bolsonaro cancels his GWU visit

WE WON! Our efforts to no-platform fascist politician Jair Bolsonaro worked. Last night, we heard he cancelled his appearance and it was confirmed by a report on BBC Brasil this morning.

Debate and dialogue are indeed fundamental to democracy, as are acts of protest and resistance. What qualifies as democratic debate isn’t defined by a select few at elite institutions nor begins after a scheduled start-time. Our strategy of resisting Bolsonaro’s platform at George Washington University was fundamentally democratic. We insisted on our own rights to freedom of speech and political mobilization–freedoms that a Bolsonaro regime would threaten. We brought the debate to the digital commons and the streets of the GWU campus and leveraged popular support for universal human rights and basic decency. The only thing shut down was hate and prejudice.

It’s important to celebrate this win (and I can confirm the original writers of the letter are thrilled!) but it’s also essential to note this is a small win. We are very conscious that stopping the rise of fascism in Brazil goes beyond this victory. We have no intention to stop this fight and continue to build resistance tools and protests in the coming months.

Stay tuned, but take the day to celebrate. Bolsonaro was unable to get the validation he was seeking from American academia. That’s pretty awesome.

Thank you so much for all your support, both with the letter and hacking the hashtag of the event. I have no doubt Bolsonaro was intimidated.

Much love, and FUCK FASCISM.

Stop Bolsonaro Group

Hack #AskBolsonaro

[Trigger warning: torture, homophobia, racism, sexism, sexual violence]

UPDATE: GWU has just announced: “Questions will be accepted in advance via Twitter using #AskBolsonaro. Please submit all questions by 11:59 p.m. EST. Questions submitted after this time will not be included.” PLEASE START FLOODING THE HASHTAG IMMEDIATELY! 

George Washington University has insisted on platforming Brazilian right-wing politician Jair Bolsonaro, despite protests from Brazilian academics and political activists that emphasized his fascist opinions and declarations. As a collective opposing fascism, we want to do our part to defend democracy from authoritarianism and contribute to free speech by overwhelming the hashtag of the event (#AskBolsonaro) with what Bolsonaro stands for. Let’s not allow him to control the narrative. Let’s take the narrative back.

For this goal, we have crafted pre-made tweets that you can copy and paste onto your Twitter. Please send as many of these off as you can and feel free to craft tweets of your own. If you want to craft your own, here is the original open letter with the charges we are most concerned with, and here is a follow-up. These two pages are full of information and arguments that could be re-written into tweets.

The event will be taking place at 5:30pm (Washington DC time–that’s 6:30pm Brasília time). We encourage tweeting during and before the event. Don’t forget the hashtag (#AskBolsonaro) and, if you have space, you can tag GWU (@GWtweets), the Elliot School (@ElliotSchoolGW), and the Brazil Initiative (@GWUBrazil).

Bolsonaro has said that having a gay son means the parents “should have beaten up the child more often.” #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro called for the curators of an LGBT art exhibition to be “executed by firing squad.” #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro opposes indigenous rights, saying indigenous peoples do not contribute to the economy & do not have rights to land #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro has referred to refugees and immigrants as “the scum of the world.” #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro is a rape apologist who twice told congresswoman Maria do Rosário, “I wouldn’t rape you. You’re not worth it.” #AskBolsonaro

He is openly anti-feminist and has said women should earn less than men because they can become pregnant. #AskBolsonaro

He declared that former president FHC deserved to be shot #AskBolsonaro

“They accuse me of homophobia…Have you ever heard me say that homosexuals should die?” #AskBolsonaro

“I won’t combat or discriminate, but if I see two men kissing in the street, I’ll beat them.” #AskBolsonaro

“If your son begins to act a bit gay, beat him with a leather strap and he’ll change his behavior.” #AskBolsonaro

–What would you do if you had a gay son?

–It never crossed my mind because they were raised right.

#AskBolsonaro

-Would you attend a gay pride parade if invited?

-I wouldn’t go because I don’t participate in promoting bad behavior.

#AskBolsonaro

I wouldn’t fly in a plane piloted by a [black] pilot who benefitted from affirmative action. #AskBolsonaro

I wouldn’t allow a black doctor who benefited from affirmative action operate on me.

#AskBolsonaro

-What would you do if your son fell in love with a black woman?

-I won’t discuss promiscuity…my sons were educated right.

#AskBolsonaro

What do those people have to offer society? Tell young people that it’s OK if they have a gay kid? They have nothing to offer. #AskBolsonaro

“I want to respect the majority and not the minority.” #AskBolsonaro

“The majority is one thing and the minority is another. Minorities should shut up.” #AskBolsonaro

“Respect homosexuals? Why! They are the ones that have to respect us. It’s the opposite.’ #AskBolsonaro

“You’re the ones who perverted human rights to be about defending minorities. It’s not about defending minorities.” #AskBolsonaro

If I can change the behavior of a disrespectful son [w/ a slap] why couldn’t I change an effeminate son with the same method? #AskBolsonaro

“We lived a period of high employment, security, liberty & respect from 1964 until 1985 [the years of the dictatorship]” #AskBolsonaro

(Political cartoon by @mas_que_mario

This documentary describes the type of torture Bolsonaro wants to bring back. #AskBolsonaro https://youtu.be/x2Qy6ZAPTuw?t=10m26s

“I’m prejudiced and proud of it!” #AskBolsonaro

“They would have been small explosions.” –accomplice RE Bolsonaro bomb plot to scare gov into military pay raise #AskBolsonaro

RE adoption by same-sex couples: “90% of those adopted will turn gay and become prostitutes of the adoptive couple” #AskBolsonaro

“I would be incapable of loving a homosexual child” #AskBolsonaro

“I would rather my son die in an accident than show up with a [queer] mustache. He would be dead to me.” #AskBolsonaro

“If homosexuals live next door, that will devalue my home! If they walk around holding hands & kissing, that devalues it” #AskBolsonaro

“I don’t want my son to play with the son adopted by a gay couple. I won’t allow it.” #AskBolsonaro

“I won’t allow my son to be in the company [of children of gay parents] because the future of my son will be homosexual too.” #AskBolsonaro

RE gay marriage: “The next step will be same-sex adoption and legalization of pedophilia.” #AskBolsonaro

“There is no such thing as a ‘gay family’. It doesn’t exist.” #AskBolsonaro

“It’s disgusting. Those gays and lesbians want us, the majority, to accept their promiscuous behavior. We cannot submit to the scorn of society.” #AskBolsonaro

“It’s disgusting. Gays & lesbians want us to accept their promiscuous behavior. We cannot submit to the scorn of society.” #AskBolsonaro

“Homophobia doesn’t exist in Brazil…Brazilian society doesn’t like homosexuals.” #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro defends more policing. Brazil has one of the deadliest police forces in the world. #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro once said his son wouldn’t date a black woman because he was well-raised. He’s a racist. #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro is notoriously anti-LGBTQ, anti-black, anti-indigenous, openly violent and proudly endorses fascism. #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro dedicate his vote to impeach Dilma Rousseff to a known torturer in the Brazilian dictatorship era. #AskBolsonaro

(TW) He openly supported Brilhante Ustra, who used to torture ppl w electric shocks to their genitals during dictatorship.  #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro has encouraged violence against LGBTQ children so that they will become straight. #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro said police should’ve killed more prisoners during the Carandiru Massacre, where 111 incarcerated people were killed #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro has said he thinks women should earn less than men because they get pregnant. #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro has openly praised a violent, oppressive dictatorship that resulted in hundreds of deaths. #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro routinely incites violence against minorities and has positioned himself against human rights. #AskBolsonaro

In an interview, Bolsonaro tells @EllenPage she’s too pretty to be a lesbian. #AskBolsonaro
https://youtu.be/wbmBp8WLhjI

Bolsonaro tells @stephenfry “no father would take pride in having a gay son” #AskBolsonaro https://youtu.be/NLSIeNBqYKM?t=15m53s

In 1999 Bolsonaro declared he evaded taxes regularly. #AskBolsonaro

Bolsonaro’s awful views are well-nown in Brazil. Read about his history in Portuguese here: http://bolsonazi.tumblr.com/ #AskBolsonaro

The Intercept called him “the most misogynistic, hateful elected official in the democratic world” #AskBolsonaro – http://bit.ly/2zhdM8d

news.com.au called Bolsonaro “the world’s most repulsive politician.” #AskBolsonaro – http://bit.ly/1rylar8

Relevant images:

Comments from signatories to our open letter

Here are some of the excellent comments we have received from people who signed our open letter.

We received signatures and comments from GWU students and alumni.

“Please do not give a misogynistic, racist, and homophobic political leader a voice at our campus.” Sarah Ingram, GW Student

“Don’t let our school become propaganda for a dictator in the making.” Kylie Sertic, GW Alumna

Many people referenced Brazil’s history of dictatorship and torture, saying that Brazil needs to move forward, not backward.

“This man is dangerous and insolent – he openly defends the torture practiced by the military during the iron years!” William Goldsmith, Professor emeritus, Cornell University (USA), former prof UnB, UFCeara

“Bolsonaro is a regress for democracy.” Rute Andrade dos Santos, UFT

“In the fight for Democracy! Against fascism.”
“Na luta pela Democracia! Contra o fascismo.” Rosa Maria Godoy Silveira, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Brazil/Núcleo de Cidadania, Políticas Públicas e Direitos Humanos

“Torture never again!”
“Tortura nunca mais!” Maria Josephina Facciolla Rubino (Brazil)

“Bolsonaro represents moving backward.”
“Bolsonaro representa retrocessos.” Débora Bezerra de Melo, Faculdade Uninove

“We can not walk backward.” Ana Lucia Vieira

“Stop those who honor murder and torture!” David Zinno, Brown University, Dept. of Applied Music

“Jair Bolsonaro is the expression of all that is most backwards and retrograde in terms of public administration. He doesn’t know anything about economics. He is xenophobic, sexist, homophobic, racist, and an idolizer of torturers in the military dictatorship. Do not host or even listen to this person. Please.”
“Jair Bolsonaro é a expressão do que há de mais atrasado e retrógrado em termos de administração pública. Nada entende de economia. É xenófobo, machista, homofóbico, racista e cultuador de torturadores da ditadura militar. Não recebam nem ouçam este sujeito. Por favor.” Daniel Barbo, FFLCH-USP

“#TortureNeverAgain”
“#TorturaNuncaMais This mockery of a human being has no place in Brazil’s future.” Claudia Tatinge Nascimento, Macalester College

Others commented that Bolsonaro’s hate speech, which is illegal in Brazil and for which he has been fined on multiple occasions, should not be given a platform at a major US university.

“Bolsonaro is a fascist and it is not admissible that he be granted a forum in which to propagate his discourse of hate and intolerance.”
“Bolsonaro é um fascista e não é admissível que lhe seja garantido qualquer fórum para que ele propague seu discurso de ódio e intolerância.” Adelia Luciana Rangel, teacher and social activist

“The endorsement of racism, rape, anti feminism offenses, torture, denial of human and social rights for all; violence against LGBTT, workers, students, retired people, indigenous people and all disenfranchised should not be avowed, but repelled.” Angela Siqueira, Universidade Federal Fluminense

“Please do not allow this type of human being close to your institution if you consider yourself to have ethics and good character. When ‘free speech’ interferes with other minority groups having basic human rights is no longer ‘free speech’. Thank you.” Daniela Mattos-Turcinov

“We denounce Jair Bolsonaro for his racist, homophobic, misogynistic, white supremacist, pro-rape and pro-gun violence public demonstrations, among many others. He is unfit to remain in politics in Brazil.” Defend Democracy in Brazil, Independent activist group

“Deputy Bolsonaro is populist on low slang, ideas and posture Nazi and fascist so much that it is idol of the Brazilian neo-Nazis, he promotes hatred between varied ideologies, attacks LGBT, promotes to arm the people like unique form of defense against violence, idolizes torturers of the Brazilian military regime , black people attacked including yesterday received a condemnation of $ 50,000.00 for moral damages to the “quilombola” peoples (descendants of black slaves), he said in April, at the Hebrew Club in Rio that quilombolas are “Not good even for procreation”. Three months ago he was sentenced by high judge court on another condemnation for misogynistic and rude verbal offenses against the a madam deputy in the tribune, and on same case he awaits judgment for the physical aggression against same madam deputy. He is not a good person to speech, very weak in terms of economics, geo-politics and zero culture. It is limited to topics such as weaponry, prejudice, violence.” Marta Nobre de Alcântara, UNA University (MG, Brazil)

“This individual does not deserve any kind of support or exposure.” Mario Mieli, Editor, Imediata.org

“Do not support prejudiced people like this man. We want democracy and rights for all!”
“Nenhum apoio a pessoas preconceituosas como esse senhor. Queremos democracia e direitos para todos!” Solange M J Ribeiro, Brazilian

“A university should not give a voice to a reactionary.”
“Uma universidade não deve dar voz a um reacionário.” Virginia Moking

“I do not support racist, fascist, Nazi, homophobic, misogynist speech, all present in the hate speech of Jair Bolsonaro.”“Não apoio discursos racistas, fascistas, nazistas, homofóbicos, misóginos, todos eles presentes nos discursos de ódio do Jair Bolsonaro.” José Olinda Braga, Universidade Federal do Ceará

Jair Bolsonaro is known for his polemical and rude conduct. Despite collecting opponents, he has been able to take advantage of parliamentary immunity to escape from possible punishment. His peers in Congress are his preferred targets. Despite apparently having more enemies than friends, Bolsonaro seems to be unharmed by lawsuits. The acclaim many have for him has nothing to do with his economic policy positions, nor with some eventual defense of civil liberties. The congressman has been affiliated with nine different parties during his political career. He has been in the Social Christian Party (PSC) since March of 2016, but he came into conflict with the leadership and started a process to enter the National Ecological Party (PEN) in 2017. He is a political physiologist. If that wasn’t enough, we can cite a few of “Bolsonaro’s Pearls”:

“I wouldn’t rape you. You’re not worth it.” (Said from the podium of the Chamber of Congress to the federal deputy Maria do Rosário);

“I don’t run that risk, my sons were very well brought up.” (Response to Preta Gil, regarding what he would do if his sons entered into a relationship with a black woman or a homosexual man);

“The PM [military police] should have killed 1,000, not 111 inmates.” (Comment on the Carandiru Massacre);

“Politicians should not ride the bus.” (Statement published in the newspaper O Dia in 2013);

“Women should earn a lower salary because they can get pregnant.” (Explaining the statement: “when she comes back [from maternity leave] she’ll get another month of vacation, in other words, she only worked five months out of the year.”)

For these statements, and perhaps for others that he may make in the future, I WILL NOT VOTE FOR JAIR BOLSONARO.

“Jair Bolsonaro é conhecido por se pautar por polêmicas e indelicadezas. Apesar de colecionar opositores, tem conseguido tirar vantagem da imunidade parlamentar e escapado das possíveis punições. Os pares do Parlamento são seus alvos preferidos. Apesar de, aparentemente, ter mais inimigos do que amigos, Bolsonaro parece passar sem fissuras por citações em processos. A aclamação de muitos por Bolsonaro não tem relação com seus posicionamentos econômicos, tampouco por uma eventual defesa às liberdades civis. O Parlamentar já foi filiado a nove partidos ao longo de sua carreira política. Está no Partido Social Cristão (PSC) desde março de 2016, mas entrou em conflito com lideranças e iniciou o processo para ingressar no Partido Ecológico Nacional (PEN) em 2017. Trata-se de um fisiologista político. Não fosse suficiente, ainda podemos citar algumas das “Pérolas de Bolsonaro”:

“Não te estupro porque você não merece.” (Falou da tribuna da Câmara Federal para a deputada federal Maria do Rosário);

“Eu não corro esse risco, meus filhos foram muito bem educados” (Respondeu para Preta Gil, sobre o que faria se seus filhos se relacionassem com uma mulher negra ou com homossexuais);

“A PM devia ter matado 1.000 e não 111 presos.” (Comentários sobre o Massacre do Carandiru);

“Parlamentar não deve andar de ônibus”. (Declaração publicada pelo jornal O Dia em 2013);

“Mulher deve ganhar salário menor porque engravida” (Justificando a frase: “quando ela voltar [da licença-maternidade, vai ter mais um mês de férias, ou seja, trabalhou cinco meses em um ano”).

Por essas, e talvez por outras que ele ainda há de manifestar, NÃO VOTARIA EM JAIR BOLSONARO.”

Jaci Augusta Neves de Souza, Centro Universitário Luterano de Palmas – CEULP/ULBRA

“He represents the worse in what concerns humanity.” Antonio Ribeiro Tupinamba, UFCeará

“Freedom of speech should not be interpreted in a manner that allows for the propagation of hate speech. American institutions are legitimizing fascism by agreeing to host Bolsonaro.” Ada Siqueira, Georgetown University

“It’s an insult to hear that an University invites Jair Bolsonaro regardless of his well known profile: racist, homophobic and supporter of torture.” Bernadete Lou, Freelance Photographer

“No to hate speech! No to racism! No to sexism! No to free guns in Brazil! No to military dictatorship! Yes to democracy, freedom and equality of all human beings! So, no to Bolsonaro!” Ligia MCS Rodgrigues, Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas

“This man and his hideous ideas do not deserve a forum. He is an apologist for torture and murder and says the most racist and vile things against Afro-Brazilians, against women and the LGBT community.” Ayla Tiago, Citizen

“Does someone who is not content with merely positioning himself on the extreme right, but who sings the praises of the greatest torturer Brazil has known; who has recently been condemned for offending, with contempt, lies, and facetiousness, traditional Afro-Brazilian quilombola communities; who says that he ‘messed up’ and, for this reason, has a daughter instead of another son, as he expected: does he truly deserve to put a veneer of respectability on his shameless face at George Washington University? Or will he merely debase the history of this university?”
“alguém que não se contenta em, apenas, posicionar-se à extrema direita, mas que canta glórias ao maior torturador que o Brasil conheceu; que acaba de ser condenado por ofensa, com desprezo, mentira e jocosidade, a quilombolas; que afirma que “deu uma vacilada” e que, só por isto, tem uma filha em lugar de outro filho, conforme esperava, será que merece, realmente, passar “um verniz” em sua cara de pau na George Washington University? Ou vai, apenas, emporcalhar o histórico desta universidade?” Ademir Barros dos Santos, Universidade Federal de São Carlos

“It is unacceptable to promote a person who incites violence and disrespect for human rights.” Adelaide Nardocci, University of Sao Paulo

Finally, many commenters called Bolsonary a threat to democracy.

“I’m Brazilian man and I see Bolsonaro as a politician without values, a prejudiced man, who does not have in my view the posture of a good politician. Bolsonaro is a threat to democracy, his speech insists hatred, xenophobia, racism, and This in Brazil and anywhere else in the world is unacceptable.” Félix de Freitas Gil da Mata

“This man is clearly unfit to be president of any country. Giving him any recognition by a speech at your university would be endorsing the worst person possible as a candidate for president of Brazil.” Margaret Poe, Bowling Green State University and Temple University Alumnus (USA)

“How can a university open it’s doors to a bigot who opposes scientific evidence and pleads to military intervention and executions?” Thiago Reinaldos Silva, University of Sao Paulo

“The letter speaks for itself and as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, a former UN Correspondent, a NYU Master’s of Sciences alumnus and as a Brazilian citizen, I feel that this event is harmful and poses a tremendous threat to our democracy.” Sergio Cesario, International Journalist, NYU alumnus

Response to GWU’s Brazil Initiative

This post is a response to Mark S. Langevin’s article explaining GWU’s Brazil Initiative’s invitation to Jair Bolsonaro.

Langevin’s main argument for the platforming of Bolsonaro is that debate is essential to democracy and that questioning him is “vital to understanding Brazil.” This is troubling for several reasons, the first is that putting the education of Americans before the very real consequences a Bolsonaro presidency could have for marginalized communities in Brazil is irresponsible and imperialist. Langevin seems to think that the education of people in George Washington University is more important than the safety of thousands of people who would be victims of violence if a Bolsonaro candidacy becomes viable. Make no mistake: Bolsonaro is not interested in debate or in explaining his previous bigoted declarations; he is interested in furthering his candidacy and crafting a ‘moderate’ image for himself in the eyes of the international media. Whether he is properly challenged or not, he will still be profiting from speaking in an international platform such as an American university.

Another reason this simplified notion of free speech is troubling is that the idea that debating bigoted ideas furthers democracy comes from a place of privilege. Free speech absolutists generally refuse to acknowledge the uneven distribution of free speech in these discussions, defending the rights of people like Bolsonaro first and caring about the disenfranchised last. Dr. Langevin emphasizes he wants to challenge Bolsonaro’s views on democracy, torture, and law enforcement. As Dr. Langevin knows well, Brazil has an extremely high rate of police violence and he seems to believe that Bolsonaro will be intimidated by statistics and logical arguments. It’s important to remember that the ability to debate these ideas as abstractions is a privilege: the people who are victims of police violence in Brazil every day do not have that luxury. Their free speech and right to exist is infringed upon by the very violence Langevin posits as debatable. While Bolsonaro is allegedly “being challenged” in an American university about his views on tougher policing, black and brown Brazilians are being murdered in marginalized communities by the police he seeks to empower. The same principles can be applied to the victims of the Brazilian dictatorship. Dr. Langevin attempts to argue that this event will further democracy, but the reality is that it only exposes how democracy is unevenly distributed.

Bolsonaro, similar to other fascists around the world, is not interested in facts: he is interested in making bigoted declarations to spark rage and consequently earn followers and voters. Fascists like him are not interested in proving wrong those who challenge them, but in vocalizing and popularizing their violent ideology so that others who agree with them may feel more comfortable in being racist, homophobic, misogynistic and genocidal. Hence, any intention of “debating” someone who bluntly spreads hate, explicitly advocates for torture, and does not shy away from speaking of beating and murdering marginalized and disenfranchised populations, is an already flawed proposition from its very enunciation. Debating Bolsonaro will only give him a broader platform for hate speech; debating him will only further amplify his voice. Put simply, debating this man has no capacity whatsoever of leading to meaningful change; yet, a boycott does.

When we speak of the risk a politician like Bolsonaro poses to Brazilian democracy, we are not being hyperbolic. The Brazilian military dictatorship tortured and murdered its political opponents within living memory, from 1964 to 1985. Today, in response to the political crisis, some members of the Brazilian military are openly calling for “intervention,” a code word for coup. This appalling idea is supported by a significant minority of the Brazilian public, who are seeking any possible solution to the rising tide of violence and political instability, however misguided. These people, groups, and movements tend to support Bolsonaro, and will be empowered by his candidacy.

From the beginning, we have argued that the content of Bolsonaro’s talk is irrelevant to his ultimate purpose; his main intention is to validate himself and appear “presidential” enough for Brazilians abroad and at home. Prioritizing the education of Americans over the very real threat of fascism in Brazil does not further democracy. Therefore, we continue to call on George Washington University to rescind their invitation to Jair Bolsonaro and cancel this event.

Click here to see the original open letter.

 

Dr. James N. Green of Brown University responds to Bolsonaro’s invitation

This text was originally published on Dr. Green’s Facebook page.

Why is Brazilian Congressman Jair Bolsonaro visiting the United States?

Anyone following the complex political situation in Brazil knows that the October 2018 elections will be of crucial importance. Voters will choose the president, vice-president, the twenty-seven governors, two-thirds of federal senators, all of the members of the Chamber of Deputies, and the representatives from the state legislative bodies.

Polls indicate that in spite of the recent conviction of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva he remains ahead among possible presidential candidates, although his rejection numbers surpass those favorable showings. He is currently appealing his sentence, but if that fails, it likely that he will be barred from running in next year’s elections.

Second in the polls is Federal Deputy Jair Bolsonaro, the extreme right-wing candidate from Rio de Janeiro, who surpasses other potential candidates from the traditional center-right Brazilian Social Democratic Party and other political parties. Those who watched the proceedings of the Chamber of Deputies on April 18, 2016, which voted to support the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff, remember that Bolsonaro cast his ballot against the president in name of the Brazilian dictatorship (1964-85) and in homage to Col. Ustra, who oversaw the torture of Rousseff while she was imprisoned in the early 1970s for her radical opposition to the military regime.

Those who have accompanied his public statements over the years also know where Bolsonaro stands. He is overtly misogynistic, homophobic and racist. Charges have been brought against him in the Supreme Court for having suggested the rape of fellow Congressional representative. He defends torture and torturers and has called for a return of military rule.

Now in an effort to expand his prestige and importance in Brazil, he is traveling to the United States where he will be speaking at George Washington University on Friday, October 13. By appearing at an important U.S. university in the nation’s capital, he is legitimizing his image. He sends the message that he has support in U.S. academia. It’s a propaganda ploy to show his supporters and others in Brazil that he is a viable candidate for the presidency.

I lived in Brazil for six years during the military dictatorship. I remember the censorship of the press, television, radio, and theater. I remember the attempts to silence the small oppositions newspapers. I remember the military police’s violent invasion of the Pontificate Catholic University of São Paulo in 1977 to prevent student activists from refounding the National Union of Students.

To be very clear, I strongly believe in the freedom of speech and the press, and the right to lawfully assemble. I defend the rights of others to express their opinion, even when I disagree with them. However, that doesn’t mean that I have to invite the extreme right into my home for dinner or into my classroom to give a talk.

Jair Bolsonaro has the freedom to speak his mind in Brazil, and he has done so, offending Afro-Brazilians, women, and LBGTQ people with his racist, sexist and homophobic comments. In fact, he has been fined for public comments that violates Brazilian laws. Yet he still has the right to talk to the press and give a speech on the floor of the Brazilian Congress.

But should we invite him to a U.S. university to speak? Or should I say, should a university be obligated to invite him to campus? What does it do other than legitimate him in the eyes of his followers and potential supporters in Brazil? Do we invite members of the KKK to campus as a way of indicating we are in favor of free speech, healthy debate, and an exchange of ideas? Do we invite Holocaust deniers to our universities in order to give them a platform to legitimate their lies?

No doubt if George Washington University doesn’t withdraw its invitation, someone will speak up in the event denouncing his ideas. Others will probably protest outside. Bolsonaro will have achieved his goals of getting onto the front page of Brazilians newspapers and on TV news broadcasts. It will please his followers and strengthen the support among his base. (Trump did a similar thing during the Republican primaries last year to catapult himself to first place). Do we want to enable this?

Bolsonaro has every right to travel to the United States, to schedule meetings with politicians, and to speak to the press. But should we say: “Come over here. We want to give you a podium, a microphone, and a forum to defend your ideas? Academic freedom does not obligate us to offer the stage to people who constantly spew hatred.

And it is a big mistake to extend those invitations to people who themselves do not believe in free speech. Bolsonaro is clear. He wants Brazil to return to the days of the dictatorship when those who lifted their voices in opposition to military rule were arrested, tortured and murdered, when culture was censored, and all Brazilians were denied their basic democratic and human rights. It’s not too late to say: “We’ve changed our minds.”

James N. Green

Professor of Brazilian History and Culture

Brown University