Councilor Taís Ferreira (Puzol) received death threats for criticizing the police operation in the Alemão and Peña complexes on October 28, and will be escorted by the Rio de Janeiro City Council. The worst attack in the country’s history left 121 people dead, including four police officers.
Tice registered a case on Oct. 30 and sent a letter to the board on Nov. 5 reporting a wave of de facto attacks that included gender-based violence, racist insults and direct threats, according to her advisers.
Among the messages received were comments suggesting she should be “killed,” claiming she would be the “next victim,” and reenacting racist and misogynistic attacks with insults and innuendos about her skin color and appearance. “It’s no use defending drug traffickers,” she said, and some publications hope she “rots in hell with them.”
The chamber reported it had taken “exceptional” measures to ensure the safety of its members. These include an offer of protection by House staff, which will remain in place until the investigation progresses and the perpetrator of the threat is identified, and the release of a public statement regarding the incident.
The board also called on the state government to guarantee the lawmaker’s parliamentary privileges, including enhanced security, and called on the Computer Crime Suppression Bureau and civilian police to speed up investigations into the messages.
Parliamentarians are accompanied by security guards to accompany them on their official business. The scope of protection for families has not yet been determined. Tice’s office said it believes the threats are ongoing and is trying to include families in this effort.
“It’s not just me, it’s about who has the right to be in a position of power. When a woman speaks up, it bothers her. When a woman reports it, unfortunately, it’s often not taken seriously. And when she resists, the system tries to silence her. (…) Political violence based on gender and race is a crime, and no democracy can be complete if elected women are at risk.”
Civilian police reported that the investigation was ongoing with Draco (Office for Suppression of Organized Criminal Activity) and was classified.
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