Rio and Brasília have demonstrations against racism and in support of Vini Jr.

Representatives of black collectives and other social movements organized this Thursday (25) acts in the center of Rio de Janeiro, and in front of the Spanish Embassy, ​​in Brasília, against racism and in solidarity with the player Vini Jr. for the attacks suffered in a match of the Spanish league last Sunday. In Rio, the rally was in front of the Church of Candelária, from where the demonstrators walked to Praça Floriano, in Cinelândia. Among the groups in defense of racial equality were: IPCN, Educafro, Comdedine, Unegro, Unified Black Movement (MNU), Reafro/RJ, Quilombo Agbara Dudu, Black Journalists Network for Diversity in Communication, the Journalist Commission for Racial Equality (Cojira/RJ) and Associação Advocacia Preta Carioca – Umoja. The Popular Movement of Favelas (MPF) and the Supporters for Democracy Movement also participated. For Valda Neves, from the Unified Black Movement (MNU), Vini Jr. not accepting the attacks in the stadium in silence and confronting the aggressors was important to reverberate the historical struggles of the black population. She claims that the player’s case was representative of the strength that racism still has in Europe and Brazil. “What happened to Vini Jr. it happens daily to black people. Since the times of slavery we have been treated as inferior, subaltern beings without rights. It doesn’t matter what social class you are, it doesn’t matter if you are a skilled player, one of the best performers in the world, a successful black man. Skin color is still a determinant in this society and expresses a racist structure”, says Valda. Suzete Paiva, who coordinates the União de Negros pela Equality (Unegro), said that the demonstrations of solidarity with the Brazilian player help to engage more people in the anti-racist struggle. “We try here to promote awareness and fight awakening. We cannot lose the ability to be indignant and fight. Even if we do it until the last air we breathe. We know that in this social structure where the base is mostly black, poor, marginalized, homeless and without food, there is no real democracy”. Letter to the consulate Earlier, the organizers of the demonstration were at the Consulate of Spain in Botafogo, in the South Zone of Rio. They delivered a letter with some demands: elaboration of anti-racist actions in the European country, criminal responsibility for Vini Jr. . The consulate undertook to forward the documentation to the embassy and to hold a meeting with the demonstrators to assess progress. The action at the consulate also had a representative of the Ministry of Sport, the director of the National Secretary of Football and Defense of Fans’ Rights, Ronaldo Tavares. He said that the federal government, through inter-ministerial work, is preparing a program to raise awareness in sports and combat racism. “With this policy, we want to interfere in the issue of clubs and associations, to have a transparent debate about what they are doing to support athletes who suffer racism within the institutions. Our program, which counts on the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Sport, will produce a document, an ordinance, still under study, aimed at sport without racism. A concrete work with debate from the base of football, in children, to high-performance sports. And this has to be discussed in clubs and federations”. Brasilia In the Brazilian capital, demonstrators gathered this Thursday afternoon in front of the Spanish Embassy in the Red Card for Racism act, which calls for concrete actions to combat racism in football. “Today was handpicked because it is a very important day for us in the black movement. It’s Africa Day, on which we revere our ancestry and call on everyone to fight with us”, said Mariana Andrade, who is part of the Black Women’s Front of the DF; the Black Coalition for Rights; and Uneafro Brasil Ato in solidarity with the player Vini Jr. in front of the Spanish Embassy – Rafa Neddermeyer/ Agência Brasil The black movement activist pointed out that 54 entities from different niches signed the manifesto of repudiation of the violence suffered by the sportsman. “There was a plurality of organizations participating with us”. And she concluded, “we leave the act hoping that the energetic measures, that the answers that do not depend on us will be given soon”, concluded Mariana Andrade. The Red Card for Racism act took place in front of the Spanish Embassy in Brasilia. Rafa Neddermeyer/ Agência Brasil History Brazilian Vini Jr., 22 years old, has been the target of racist attacks in the Spanish Championship, organized by LaLiga, a private entity. Last Sunday, the sportsman was once again insulted, even before stepping onto the field. Videos published on social networks show hundreds of Valencia fans, who would play against Real Madrid, singing “Vinícius is a monkey”, as the Real bus arrived at the Mestalla stadium. During the game, racist insults and shouts of “monkey” were uttered from the stands, after a bid in the 29th minute of the second half. After the match, the coach of Real Madrid, the Italian Carlo Ancelotti, was disgusted and incredulous with the event. The athlete vented on social networks and lamented that the repeated discriminatory attacks are making Spain known as “a racist country”. “It wasn’t the first time, nor the second nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I’m so sorry”.

Agência Brasil