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Associated PressAug 11
Brazil: Lula Fires Minister Accused of Sexual Harassment
Above: Silvio Almeida at Auditório Celso Furtado on Sept. 26, 2022 in São Paulo, Brazil. Image copyright: Alexandre Schneider/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Brazilian Pres. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Friday sacked his Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida over allegations of sexual misconduct.
A leading Black activist in Brazil, Almeida faces accusations of sexually harassing at least two women, including the Minister for Racial Equality Anielle Franco.
The Spin
Narrative A
Almeida should have been removed from office as soon as Franco internally reported the case months ago. This would have allowed him to defend himself properly and avoid this bombshell scandal for the Brazilian government. It's hard to understand why it took so long for action to be taken, but now Almeida is finally out.
Narrative B
Given that rumors of sexual misconduct against Almeida had been circulating for a year or so, one can only cast doubt on what lies behind recycled reports that caused his swift dismissal. The Me Too movement has been misused for political or personal gains in the past — that could be the case yet again.