Social movement attributes attacks on schools to hate speech

It is necessary to debate the proliferation of fascist and hate speeches to contain the violence that reaches schools, evaluates the National Campaign for the Right to Education (CNDE). The movement, which brings together civil society organizations, issued a note lamenting the attack that took place this Monday (27) at the Thomazia Montoro State School, in the west zone of São Paulo. A 13-year-old student stabbed a teacher to death and injured three more teachers and two students. “It is important to point out that the rise of fascist, far-right ideas and behavior among the population, of a culture of hate, xenophobia and intolerance in its most varied forms, directly contribute to a scenario conducive to increasingly violent attitudes in society, whether in schools or outside them”, highlights the analysis of the movement. For the CNDE, the problem is complex and will not be solved only with “security” measures. “The debate on violence in schools cannot be limited to public safety”, emphasizes the text. “Violence against schools is a reflection of a set of structural problems in Brazilian society that have been amplified by behaviors and attitudes diametrically opposed to the construction of a culture of peace”, he adds. The movement also cites data from the report Ultraconservatism and Right-wing Extremism among Adolescents and Young People in Brazil, released in December 2022. The study points out that throughout the 2000s there were 16 attacks on Brazilian schools that killed 35 people and left 72 injured. Bullying and violence “Cases of attacks with firearms at schools by students and former students, in general, are usually associated with bullying and prolonged situations of exposure to violent processes, including family negligence, parental authoritarianism and content disseminated on social networks and messaging apps,” says the report. Initial information about the attack on the Thomazia Montoro school points to the presence of some of these elements. The students interviewed this Monday morning by the Agência Brasil report attributed the attack to a fight, which would have ended in an exchange of punches last week. At the time, the author of the attack would have offended another student with racist terms. There are reports that point out, however, that the aggressor was a victim of bullying at school. Among the measures that should, in the CNDE’s assessment, be taken to face this problem, the movement lists: the end of school militarization programs, the disarmament of society, the promotion of mental health policies and a firm response to fascist discourses. Repercussion The Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Silvio de Almeida, also pointed to the radicalization based on hate speech as one of the factors that may have triggered the attack. “It seems that this is an attack linked to the effects of the radicalization of young people, connected by networks inciting hatred and violence,” he said on Twitter. Almeida says he believes that some regulatory and repressive measures may be necessary, but draws attention to the need for measures that address the other aspects of the situation. According to him, the ministry “constituted the WG to confront hate speech and extremism, whose report should subsidize the formulation of national policies on human rights education.” Everything indicates that this is an attack linked to the effects of the radicalization of young people, connected by networks inciting hatred and violence. For years, experts have been warning about the growth of this phenomenon and how the authorities are still perplexed👇🏿 — Silvio Almeida (@silviolual) March 27, 2023 The Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, said, also on Twitter, that he was dismayed with the case. “I express my solidarity with the relatives and friends of the teachers and students injured in the attack, making the MEC available to the Secretary of Education and the State Government to collaborate in whatever way possible”, he said. I am following with dismay the episode of violence that took place at the Thomazia Montoro State School, in the city of São Paulo. I express my solidarity with the families and friends of the teachers and students injured in the attack, (cont.) — Camilo Santana (@CamiloSantanaCE) March 27, 2023 The governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, expressed regret and sadness for the death of teacher Elisabete Tenreiro , aged 71, who succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident. He thanked the physical education teacher who managed to contain the aggressor. “I have no words to express my sadness at the news of the attack on students and teachers at the Thomazia Montoro State School, in Vila Sônia. The 13-year-old teenager has already been apprehended and our efforts are focused on helping the injured and welcoming their families.”

Agência Brasil