Olodum denounces racism case on Planeta Band.
On his Facebook profile, Olodum president João Jorge Rodrigues shared a racism complaint against the production and security of the Planeta Band VIP area, filed by lawyer and composer Leandro Oliveira. Oliveira recounts being prevented from entering the VIP area despite wearing the organization's shirt. "Where did you get that shirt, man? That shirt is only for guests," the security guards allegedly said. "I have already filed a police report and reported the incident to the CDCN (Center for Consumer Protection and Citizenship), as well as the Racial Observatory, and the ethics and human rights commission of the OAB-BA (Brazilian Bar Association - Bahia chapter)," the complainant stated.
247 – On his Facebook profile, Olodum president João Jorge Rodrigues shared, this Sunday (5), a complaint of racism against the production and security of the Planeta Band box.
According to the text, lawyer and composer Leandro Oliveira reports that he was prevented from entering the VIP area even though he was wearing the organization's shirt.
"Where did you get that shirt from, bro? That shirt is only for guests," the security guards reportedly said.
See the full statement below:
Racism in the Planeta Band VIP area.
I am Leandro Oliveira, a lawyer and composer for major artists in Bahia, such as Olodum, Margrethe Menezes, Harmonia do Samba, Araketu, and others.
On February 13, 2015, I was a victim of racism by the production and security staff of the Planeta Band VIP area.
When I tried to enter the Planeta Band VIP area, I was prevented from doing so by the producers and security staff.
It is worth noting that I was wearing the red shirt from the HC Band VIP area when, amidst other people—it should be emphasized that none of them were Black—I was the only one asked to show my ticket by the man who identified himself as the head of production, whose first name is Marcos.
He asked curtly: where's your ticket?
I told him I didn't understand, and he again rudely asked: where's your ticket?
I told him that he was being discriminatory, that out of so many people he was only demanding that I have a ticket to enter the establishment.
He then said that I would only be allowed to pass if I presented my ticket.
When I said that I would not submit to such discriminatory treatment, he then said: "Where did you get that shirt from, man? That shirt is only for guests."
I realized I was being subjected to racism and started arguing with him, at which point he pushed me.
Immediately afterwards I was surrounded by security guards, going through a humiliating and embarrassing moment.
I waited almost 50 minutes to get in while hundreds of non-black people passed through without showing any ticket.
When I introduced myself as a lawyer and showed the ticket, the production team tried to cover up the racist crime by asking other people to show their tickets.
However, it was too late, as everything had been filmed by a colleague who was there and witnessed the event.
Even after being inside the VIP box, I was forced to hand over the red HC VIP box shirt; in exchange, they gave me a shirt from a lower-tier VIP box, which was green.
Immediately after the incident, I felt very unwell because of what had happened and went to the Vitalmed emergency room with high blood pressure.
Outraged at having suffered racism during the Salvador Carnival, I ask my friends and anyone who abhors this disgusting sentiment to share what happened.
I have already filed a police report, and I have reported the incident to the CDCN (Center for Consumer Protection and Citizenship), I also registered the incident with the Racial Observatory, and the Ethics and Human Rights Commission of the OAB-BA (Brazilian Bar Association - Bahia Chapter).
I'm counting on everyone's help to spread the word about what happened.
Thank you, Leandro Oliveira.