PL deputy was called “Captain of Mato” during a commission session on National Fund for Racial Equality
The Federal Deputy (PL-RJ) filed a police report by racial injury after being called “Captain of the Mato” during a session in the Chamber of Deputies. The complaint was formalized on Thursday (18.Set.2025) in the House Legislative Police Department.
The incident took place during a meeting of the Special Commission on the National Fund for Racial Equality, in Brasilia, on Wednesday (17.Set). In the video by the deputy on his profile on social networks, it is possible to see a woman uttering the expression against him.
“Yesterday, I was the target of racism by a member of the Black Movement. I will take the case to justice, even aware of the risk that nothing is done. Still, I will continue to denounce the hypocrisy of a movement that stands as an advocate of equality, but in practice acts as an ideological cane for a government that commits atrocities against the people, ” Lopes wrote.
The identity of the woman who gave the offense was not disclosed, as well as possible developments of the case after the registration of the occurrence. The case may be investigated by the competent authorities, following the legal proceedings for allegations of racial injury, a crime provided for in Brazilian law.
The episode took place in a session in which Lopes played for the committee’s presidency, obtaining only 1 vote – his own. The collegiate analyzes the proposal of amendment to the Constitution that intends to create the National Fund for Economic Repair and Promotion of Racial Equality, an initiative to which the deputy opposes.
Expression “Captain of the Mato” It refers to the Brazilian slave period and is considered a racist nature. The people who held this position usually worked for slave owners. One of his responsibilities was to locate fugitives. In many cases they were freed slaves.
Lopes is a black politician ally of the former president (PL) and is part of the PL, representing Rio de Janeiro in the House.
