Demand President Biden Revoke Jair Bolsonaro’s Visa Immediately
On January 8th, a group of supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro attacked and ransacked Brazil’s Presidential Palace, Supreme Court and Congress, drawing parallels to the January 6th riots in the U.S. Following the events, various congresspeople in the U.S. and Brazil, as well as Brazilian civil society, called for the U.S. government to stop giving refuge to Bolsonaro, who has been in Orlando, Florida since late December, days before President-elect Luis Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva was sworn-in. Let’s join them by signing this petition calling on Biden to revoke Bolsonaro’s visa!
Read the letter to Biden
Dear President Biden,
The attack on Brazilian democratic institutions on January 8th is disturbingly reminiscent of the January 6th insurrection on the U.S. Capitol. Just as the U.S. government has prosecuted those found guilty of organizing and participating in the insurrection, so has Brazil’s recently inaugurated administration of President Luis Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva. The U.S. government must send a strong and clear message condemning the fascist coup attempt by heeding the calls of U.S. and Brazilian lawmakers urging the U.S. government to stop providing a safe haven to former president Jair Bolsonaro, who has been directly implicated in the plot.
Bolsonaro, much like Trump, emboldened his supporters through social media by challenging the election results and refusing to concede defeat. Bolsonaro must be sent back to Brazil to face justice for the violence carried out by his supporters, along with other pending charges against him. Brazilian Federal Deputy Erika Hilton has already submitted an official request to the Foreign Minister to initiate Bolsonaro’s extradition process. Your administration has the power and authority to facilitate this process by revoking Bolosonaro’s A-1 visa (for heads of state and diplomats), given that he is not carrying out official duties in the U.S.
Different sectors of Brazilian civil society have taken to the streets to defend their democracy and are calling for accountability for all coup perpetrators. Your administration has a responsibility to address the demands of the Brazilian people and revoke Bolsonaro’s visa.
Sincerely,