Dear MoveOn member,
 
This is Representative Joaquin Castro of Texas—and I'm writing to you
because an authoritarian who has stirred up anti-democratic violence is
taking refuge in America and it's imperative our country offer Jair
Bolsonaro, the former president of Brazil, no harbor.
 
We saw the scenes from Brazilia just days ago, as right-wing insurgents
invaded government buildings.^1 As someone who was in Congress on January
6, 2021, this felt too familiar—I know what violent assaults on democracy
look like firsthand. And as someone who believes we should promote
democracy around the world, I know we need to take the threats of rising
fascism and authoritarianism seriously, here and abroad.
 
[ [link removed] ]That's why I'm asking: Will you join me in calling upon the Biden
administration to offer no refuge to Bolsonaro, who is conducting his
international anti-democratic activities from Florida, and to do our part
to ensure he is held fully accountable in Brazil?

The supporters of Brazil's authoritarian former leader Jair Bolsonaro just
attacked Brazil's institutions of democracy—while Bolsonaro took refuge in
Florida and conspired with Trump's closest advisers. America should offer
no refuge to would-be fascists and insurrectionists—Bolsonaro must go, and
he must be held accountable in Brazil.

[2]Sign the petition

The attacks on Brazil's government buildings on January 8 are alarmingly
reminiscent of the January 6 attacks in America. Attackers—rallying around
a would-be authoritarian—denied the election and sought to undermine their
nation's democracy.
 
This is not the first parallel between Bolsonaro and Trump. Both seized
power on behalf of powerful corporate interests. Both denied the science
behind COVID. Both drummed up the resentment of their base to foster
xenophobic violence. Both undermined their nations' elections.
 
Both lost. And instead of conceding to the will of the people, both urged
on violent insurrectionists in their name.
 
Bolsonaro, after losing, came to Florida to seek refuge. And it's there
that he continues to stir up violence and anti-democratic actions in
Brazil—often with the approval and, potentially, the collaboration of
Trump's closest advisers.^2
 
Just as it is imperative Trump face charges and be held accountable for
his role in the January 6 fatal insurrection and attempted coup, Bolsonaro
must face accountability in his own country—and not be offered refuge on
U.S. soil. Bolsonaro must go—the U.S. must offer no refuge to him. We need
to stand up to authoritarianism everywhere.
 
[ [link removed] ]Please add your name to this urgent call for democracy and share it
with friends and family.

Thanks for all you do.

–Rep. Joaquin Castro

Source:
 
1. "Siege Is Over After Extreme Right-Wing Bolsonaro Supporters Stormed
Brazilian Capital," Mother Jones, January 8, 2023
[link removed]
 
2. "Brazil’s failed coup is the poison flower of the Trump-Bolsonaro
symbiosis," The Guardian, January 10, 2023
[link removed]

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