This letter was sent to Senator Rick Scott
An Open Letter to the People of Brazil and the United States Senate
To the Citizens of Brazil and the Honorable Members of the United States Senate,
We write with a heavy heart and an urgent plea for justice in the case of Débora Rodrigues dos Santos, a 39-year-old Brazilian hairdresser and mother of two, sentenced to 14 years in prison for writing “Perdeu, Mané” (“You lost, idiot”) with lipstick on the “Justice” statue during the January 8, 2023, protests in Brasília. This disproportionate punishment, upheld by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, represents a grave miscarriage of justice and a threat to the democratic principles we hold dear in both Brazil and the United States.
Débora, a working-class woman with no prior criminal record, has expressed deep regret for her actions, stating in a letter that she believed the protest would be peaceful and never intended to support violence or illegality. Yet, she faces a sentence harsher than those often given for violent crimes, alongside a fine of approximately R$50,000 and a share of R$30 million in collective damages. While some justices, like Luiz Fux, have argued for a reduced sentence of 1 year and 6 months, the majority’s decision to impose such a severe penalty raises serious questions about fairness, proportionality, and the independence of Brazil’s judiciary.
To the people of Brazil: Your voices are powerful. The outcry on platforms like X reflects a shared concern that this case symbolizes a broader erosion of free expression and judicial overreach. We urge you to continue raising awareness, petitioning your leaders, and demanding a review of Débora’s sentence. Her case is not just about one woman—it is about the right to protest, the need for equitable justice, and the preservation of democracy. Organize peacefully, engage with your elected officials, and amplify Débora’s story to ensure it is not forgotten.
To the United States Senate: As champions of democracy and human rights, you have a unique platform to address threats to these values beyond your borders. Brazil, a key ally, faces a critical moment. We respectfully request that you investigate Débora’s case and consider actions to support Brazil’s democratic institutions. This could include public statements condemning disproportionate punishments, engaging with Brazilian authorities through diplomatic channels, or exploring measures like those proposed in recent letters to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, which called for accountability in cases of judicial overreach. Your leadership can send a powerful message that justice must be fair and transparent, no matter where it is administered.
The parallels between the January 8, 2023, events in Brasília and the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol remind us that democracies are fragile and must be protected through balanced, equitable justice. Débora’s sentence risks undermining public trust in Brazil’s institutions, just as excessive or selective punishments could erode faith in any democracy. We must stand together to ensure that justice serves to heal, not divide.
We call for an immediate review of Débora Rodrigues dos Santos’ sentence, a reevaluation of the charges against her, and a broader dialogue about judicial fairness in Brazil. Let us unite—Brazilians, Americans, and all who value democracy—to ensure that Débora’s case becomes a turning point for justice, not a symbol of its failure.
With hope and determination,
Laiz Rodrigues
Brazil America Council Executive Director
HOTSPOTORLANDO NEWS Editor in Chief
Laizrodrigues@brazilamerica.org