Controversy Over Racism at Major Brazilian Supermarket
President Lula Also Says "Discrimination Cannot Be Tolerated"
A racial discrimination controversy erupted at a large supermarket in Brazil, leading to a protest where the victim demonstrated wearing only underwear.
According to Brazilian media outlet G1 on the 10th (local time), on the 7th at Atacad?o, a warehouse-style store in Curitiba, the capital of Paran? state, a controversy arose over an employee following and monitoring a Black woman.
G1 reported that this store is one of the large supermarket chains operated by the French company Carrefour since 2007.
On the 7th (local time), Isabeu Oliveira held an underwear protest at the warehouse store Atacad?o in Curitiba, Paran?, Brazil, to protest against racial discrimination by the store. [Photo by Isabeu Oliveira Instagram capture]
The woman in question is Isabeu Oliveira (43), a local Brazilian actress and instructor, who visited the store with her family to buy food for Easter week.
Oliveira told local media, "Everywhere I went, a man who appeared to be a security guard was in my line of sight," adding, "When I looked at him because it felt strange, he would look away, then move to another spot and follow me again."
Feeling uncomfortable being treated as a "potential thief," Oliveira approached the man and asked, "What harm have I caused to the store?" but the man denied any such incident.
Despite this, the unpleasant situation did not subside, so she eventually reported it to the store management, only to receive a response stating, "After our own investigation, we found no evidence of improper approach."
Ultimately, Oliveira returned to the store to protest, wearing only underwear, claiming it was "unjust racial discrimination." She also had a phrase written on her body conveying "I am a dangerous person."
Oliveira's underwear protest was recorded on video and quickly spread through social media, leading to criticism of Carrefour's lukewarm response.
Even President Lula Steps In: "Discrimination Cannot Be Tolerated"
President Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva stepped in, condemning the incident by saying, "Discrimination cannot be tolerated in our country."
Before his 100-day speech marking the launch of his third term, President Lula mentioned this incident, stating, "We will not tolerate racial discrimination in Brazil," and strongly criticized Carrefour's management, saying, "I want to tell Carrefour executives: if you want to discriminate in your home country, go ahead."
The police are conducting a thorough investigation into the exact circumstances with the store.
Carrefour's discrimination controversy in Brazil had previously flared up significantly in 2020. At that time, in Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul state, a Black man died after being assaulted by a security guard.
Enraged citizens responded with violent protests, damaging Carrefour store facilities in some cities.
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