The lights of Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro, were turned off for an hour this Monday (22) in solidarity with the Brazilian player Vinícius Júnior. The Real Madrid athlete was the victim of a new episode of racism in La Liga, the Spanish football league. During a match against Valencia this Sunday (21), part of the crowd present at the stadium shouted “monkey” at the Brazilian. In a statement, the Cristo Redentor Archdiocesan Sanctuary repudiated the racist attacks. Lights were turned off between 6pm and 7pm. “The monument to Christ the Redeemer has its lighting turned off as a symbol of the collective struggle against racism and in solidarity with the player and all those who suffer prejudice around the world”, records the text. Also according to the note, the action was planned together with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and the Observatory of Racial Discrimination in Football. The rector of the sanctuary, Father Omar, also mentioned a biblical passage: “We are all created in the image and likeness of God.” Vinícius Júnior has been a recurring target of racist insults in Spanish league matches. After the new episode, the player vented on social networks and criticized the lack of action by the sports authorities. The president of La Liga, Javier Tebas, countered the criticism and said that the Brazilian does not understand the competence of the entity in Spanish football. The Spaniard’s post generated a wave of indignation and repudiation. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva demanded that the International Football Federation (FIFA), La Liga and the football leagues of all other countries take measures against “racism and fascism”. Notes were also released by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB), by the Itamaraty, by the Minister of Human Rights, Anielle Franco, and by the Minister of Sports, Ana Moser. Vinícius Júnior received messages of solidarity from Brazilian and foreign athletes from different sports. “I’m with you,” wrote driver Lewis Hamilton. After the lights of Christ the Redeemer were turned off for an hour, the player thanked the expression of solidarity, in a publication on Twitter. “Black and imposing. Christ the Redeemer was just like that. A solidarity action that moves me. But I want, above all, to inspire and bring more light to our struggle”, he wrote. Black and imposing. Christ the Redeemer was just like that. An action of solidarity that moves me. But, above all, I want to inspire and bring more light to our struggle. I am very grateful for all the love and support I have received in recent months. Both in Brazil and worldwide… pic.twitter.com/zVBcD4eF8k — Vini Jr. (@vinijr) May 22, 2023 Expanded article at 8:18 pm to add information from Vini Jr.’s publication. on twitter.
Agência Brasil
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