This is Representative Joaquin Castro of Texas—and I'm writing because it's imperative our country offer Jair Bolsonaro, the authoritarian former president of Brazil, no harbor in the U.S.
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.
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.
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
2. "Brazil’s failed coup is the poison flower of the Trump-Bolsonaro symbiosis," The Guardian, January 10, 2023
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