The Christ the Redeemer, the monumental statue that crowns the Corcovado hill, maximum symbol of the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, remained in the dark on Monday night for an hour in solidarity with the soccer player Vinícius Júnior, victim of racist insults in Spain.
The lights that illuminate the 709-meter statue of Christ with open arms were turned off at 6:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. GMT). They came on an hour later.
Read also: Florentino Pérez meets with Vinícius
“The Archdiocesan Shrine of Christ the Redeemer repudiates the racist attacks suffered by the Brazilian soccer player Vinícius Júnior on Sunday, May 21, during the match between the Real Madrid and Valencia”for the Spanish League, reported the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro in a statement.
The lighting was switched off for an hour like “symbol of the collective fight against racism and in solidarity with the soccer player and all those who suffer from prejudice in the world”announced the note.
The striker for Madrid and the Brazilian team said he was moved by the act in a message he posted on his social networks.
“Black is important. The Christ the Redeemer was like this recently. An action of solidarity that excites me. But I want, above all, to inspire and bring more light to our fight.”he claimed.
Black and imposing. Christ the Redeemer was just like that. An action of solidarity that moves me. But I want, above all, to inspire and bring more light to our struggle.
I really appreciate all the chain of affection and support I’ve received in the last few months. Both in Brazil and the world… pic.twitter.com/zVBcD4eF8k
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) May 22, 2023
Vinícius Junior
Vinícius, coming from one of the municipalities in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, began his sports career in this Brazilian city. Today he thanked all the support he has received, both from Brazil and from around the world.
“I know exactly who is who. Count on me because the good ones are the majority and I will not give up. I have a purpose in life and if I have to suffer more and more so that future generations do not go through similar situations, I am ready and prepared.he concluded.
The administrators of Christ the Redeemer joined the messages of rejection of racism that multiplied this Monday in Brazil.
The Government itself, in a statement, repudiated “in the strongest terms” the racist insults that Vinícius Júnior “He has been suffering repeatedly in Spain” and demanded that the government and soccer authorities of that country, as well as FIFA, adopt measures “effective”.
The Foreign Ministry, the Government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, regretted “Deeply that, up to now, no effective measures have been taken to prevent and avoid the repetition of these acts of racism.”
The reaction of the Brazilian Government to what happened in Mestalla has been immediate and harsh. To the point that these facts were commented on by President Lula himself this Monday. This in statements to journalists on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, in the Japanese city of Hiroshima.
“It is not fair that a poor young man who succeeded in life and who is becoming one of the best footballers”, suffer this type of attack. Thus declared Lula, who pointed out that “We cannot allow fascism and racism to take over football stadiums.”
Every round away from home is an unpleasant surprise. And there were many this season. Death wishes, hanged doll, many criminal screams… All recorded.
But the speech always falls on “isolated cases”, “a fan”. No, these are not isolated cases. They are episodes… pic.twitter.com/aSCMrt0CR8
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) May 22, 2023
