New York City projections denounce Brazil’s president Bolsonaro, ahead of his remarks at the UN General Assembly

New York City, September 21, 2021 -- Ahead of Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro’s speech at the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), advocates beam images next to the Brooklyn Bridge warning of the dangers of the arrival of the unvaccinated president. The images highlight Bolsonaro’s anti-environmental agenda, which has led to the widespread destruction of the Amazon rainforest, the systemic attacks of the rights of Indigenous Peoples in the country, his mishandling of the pandemic and the undermining of democratic institutions in Brazil. Brazilian activists and allies are calling on world leaders and the global community to hold Bolsonaro accountable for the multiple crises his administration has caused in the country and globally.

Bolsonaro’s attendance to the UN General Assembly has been surrounded with controversy since the president declared his unvaccinated status, which violates New York’s indoor vaccination mandate. His defiance puts everyone he comes into contact with at risk; from hotel and restaurant workers, to  U.N. delegates and employees. As reported in the press, Bolsonaro’s team spent the week trying to circumvent the City’s Mayor De Blasio mandate, trying to make agreements so he would not have to be vaccinated to attend. 

The Defend Democracy in Brazil Committee (DDB-NY) is organizing a series of activities and has partnered with The Illuminator and Greenpeace USA to display images on the eve of UNGA. Street protests are being organized with New York based  grassroots groups.   

Natalia de Campos of Defend Democracy in Brazil said: “Bolsonaro’s actions in Brazil are a direct attack to human rights, the environment and to global health. By boasting his unvaccinated status in New York City, Bolsonaro shows his complete disregard for human life and for the families of victims of COVID-19 in Brazil and in the US. Bolsonaro’s actions must not go unpunished. He has lied in his remarks at UNGA in the past and will do so again. He needs to be shamed, if not censured by the UN itself.” 

Defend Democracy in Brazil activists and other groups have already demonstrated against Bolsonaro in May and September 2019, repudiating his racist, homophobic and anti-Indigenous views as they were not welcomed.[1] The group is now doing a demonstration on September 21 on 2nd avenue and 44th Street while Bolsonaro speaks at the UN General Assembly.

ENDS

Contact:

media@defenddemocracyinbrazil.org

Below Photos - credits:

Projections:

Ground images: Ken Schles @kenschles

Aerial images: The Illuminator @the.illuminator

Hotel demonstrations: 

Photos: Niyi Fote @niyifote / @defenddemocracyinbrazil

Unite Nations demonstrations: 

Photos: Livía Sá @liv.sa / @defenddemocracyinbrazil

Protest at the hotel on day of Bolsonaro’s arrival in New York: he used the backdoor, running away from protesters and journalists. Sept 19, 2021 at the Intercontinental Barclay New York Hotel at 48th street and Lexington Avenue. Photos: Niyi Fote.

Projections next to the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City: an action by Defend Democracy in Brazil Committee with support from Greenpeace USA and The Illuminator.

Ground images: Ken Schles @kenschles

Aerial images: The Illuminator @the.illuminator

#stopBolsonaro protests at the United Nations on the morning of the General Assembly opening, Sept 21, 2021 - at 2nd avenue and 45th - 47th streets, Manhattan , New York City.

Photos: Livia Sá