Councilwoman Benny Briolly (PSOL) denounces having suffered religious racism at the City Council of Niterói, in Rio de Janeiro, on Thursday afternoon (10) while presenting a bill that intended to institute November 12 as “Mary’s Day”. Protective Mulambo of Niterói” — an entity worshiped by religious of African origin.
The congresswoman informed that she is preparing a complaint to formalize the incident at the Police Station for Racial Crimes and Intolerance Crimes (Decradi).
One of the videos recorded during the session shows people opposed to the bill shouting phrases such as “Get out, macumbeiro” and “Protetor is Jesus Christ”. The vote was accompanied by representatives of African matrix religions and by groups of believers of other faiths.
While the parliamentarian defended the bill, some people shouted slogans condemning the proposal and shouted “Jesus Christ is the Lord” and “Niterói belongs to Jesus”.
“At the time of voting, councilor Douglas Gomes (PTC) began to utter attacks of religious racism, inciting people who were in the plenary, and began a series of attacks and curses. There were those who were physically attacked, the session was interrupted and the project will be voted on again next Wednesday. We are taking appropriate measures and preparing a complaint, because these things cannot happen”, said the parliamentarian.
THE CNNCouncilor Douglas Gomes said that there were no offenses directed at the councilor or her supporters and that the group appeared to be “possessed”.
“My vision is of a terribly Christian and conservative parliamentarian and I do not give up my values and principles and, therefore, I am radically against this project and any other that goes against my faith”, evaluated councilor Douglas Gomes.
The choice of date, November 12, according to councilor Benny Briolly, is related to the month of Black Consciousness. Benny was the first trans parliamentarian elected in Niterói and in May of last year she had to leave the country to protect herself due to threats that, at the time, she denounced that she was suffering.
She received more than 20 threats on her social network and the case was investigated by the Civil Police of Rio.
In a note, the mayor of Niterói, councilor Milton Carlos Lopes, said that “due to the matter proposed by councilor Benny, heated debates took place with different positions, within the respect that parliament demands and the rule of law determines. All within the field of idea and conviction”.
The Legislative House also reported that “so far, no offense has been reported by any parliamentarian and, if any racism of any kind has occurred, which has not yet been reported by the offended party, as soon as it is formalized, the appropriate measures will be promptly adopted to its investigation and punishment”.
Source: CNN Brasil
