The federal judge in Minas Gerais yesterday ruled on the removal of videos posted on YouTube and Instagram by evangelical pastor André Valadão that could have “potential homophobic and transphobic implications”.
What happened:
The decision comes in response to a request from the Federal Ministry of Public Safety in Minas Gerais that was put forward on the 6th last month.
Judge José Carlos Machado Júnior calls on Google and Meta responsible for Youtube and Instagram respectively to remove the publications mentioned in the decision within five dayssubject to a fine of BRL 1,000 per day of noncompliance.
The content concerns services taking place on June 4th and July 2nd.
Overall, the decision lists nine links where the content was rendered. This also includes reports in communication vehicles in which the video appears.
At the request of the UOL, the pastor’s press office said that Valadão had not yet been informed of the decision.oe cites a statement in which the religious leader reiterated that he has not encouraged violence against the LGBTQIAPN+ community.
Google’s press office reported that YouTube had already been notified and was “reviewing the decision”. Meta has not yet commented on the decision. The text is updated when there is a response.
The content of the statements made by the first defendant in the said services, even when uttered in the context of a religious statement, exceeded the limits of freedom of expression and belief and poses the potential risk of stoking feelings of prejudice, dislike and aggression in listeners and believers Citizens of a different sexual orientation than that he is defending.
Judge José Carlos Machado Jr
What the pastor said:
In June of this year, André Valadão ran the “No Pride” or “No Pride” campaign on his social media profiles.. According to the MPF (Federal Ministry of Public Law), the posts clearly refer to the LGBTQIA+ population in a discriminatory manner, as the word pride appears in the colors of the movement’s symbolic flag.
On July 2, Valadão said in a live broadcast: “If God could, he would kill everyone to start all over again.” The shepherd says, “He is with you. Shake a four on your side and say, let’s go upstairs!”
For the MPF, the religious leader’s speech is “a clear indication that she encourages Christians to reject and physically attack this collective of people.” already in a situation of social vulnerability.
In view of the negative effects, the pastor claimed that the testimony did not refer to death.but rather a change in behavior: “It will never be about killing people, God forbid this terrible sin, violence or discrimination, but about the freedom to live what you believe in.” That’s not what the Censura series is about, and that’s what we see every day in laws, media, education and a world system that tries to reflect the truth of the faith that a true Christian holds.”