Lawyer denounces racism in the Planeta Band VIP area to the Legislative Assembly of Bahia.
The inaugural session of the Human Rights and Public Security Commission of the Legislative Assembly (AL-BA) debated this Tuesday the case of lawyer Leandro Oliveira, who alleges he suffered racism in the Planeta Band VIP area during the Salvador carnival; he claims he was prevented from entering the VIP area, even though he had a ticket and a shirt that guaranteed access to the party; he reported to the deputies that the VIP area security guards approached him selectively and questioned where he had obtained the shirt; "Who did you get that shirt from, man? That shirt is only for guests."
Bahia 247 - The inaugural session of the Human Rights and Public Security Commission of the Legislative Assembly of Bahia (AL-BA) debated this Tuesday (24) the case of lawyer Leandro Oliveira, who claims to have suffered racism by the production and by a security guard at the Planeta Band box at the Salvador carnival. The episode took place on Friday (13), when he claims to have been prevented from entering the box, even though he had a ticket and shirt that guaranteed access to the party.
Chaired by Representative Marcelino Galo (PT), the committee approved a joint public hearing with the Special Committee for the Promotion of Equality to discuss the issue of racism and violence during Carnival. The committee will send a formal request to ask the authorities for clarification regarding the investigation of the allegations presented by Leandro Oliveira.
Galo warns that the case should not go unpunished. "Salvador is the largest black city outside of Africa, and black people have a definitive role in the culture and construction of Carnival. We will follow up on this case and fight more effectively so that this act does not go unpunished," said the Workers' Party deputy.
In his 22-minute testimony, Leandro Oliveira told lawmakers that the VIP box security guards approached him selectively and questioned where he had obtained the shirt. "Who did you get that shirt from, man? That shirt is only for guests." The lawyer further stated that only he was approached by the security guards.
He sought out police authorities in the Dodô circuit to file a report, but was unsuccessful. "The omission in the face of racism in the state is explicit. I am coming to this house because I believe in this commission and in justice." Leandro Oliveira also sought out entities linked to Human Rights, such as the Council for the Development of the Black Community, the Racial Observatory, and the Ethics and Human Rights Commission of the OAB (Brazilian Bar Association).