The legal saga between Brazilian singer Ludmilla and presenter Marcão do Povo took another unexpected turn as the Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ) absolved Marcão of charges of racial slander against Ludmilla. This decision has ignited a fervent outcry online, particularly among Ludmilla's supporters, who have propelled the hashtag '#JustiçaPorLudmilla' to trending status.
The battle began back in 2017 when Marcão, during his time as the host of the 'Balanço Geral DF' program, made inflammatory remarks about Ludmilla, referring to her as "pobre macaca" (poor monkey) during a live segment. His comments arose after reports claimed Ludmilla had avoided posing for photos with fans at an event. Following the outcry from her supporters, he was dismissed from his position at Record TV shortly after the incident.
Initially, the legal proceedings leaned favorably for Ludmilla, as Marcão was convicted by the Tribunal de Justiça do Distrito Federal e Territórios (TJDFT) and faced penalties including imprisonment and financial damages. Yet, after multiple appeals and legal battles, the STJ rendered its controversial ruling questioning the validity of the evidence used against Marcão, particularly focusing on the reliance on edited video footage.
On December 19, 2023, the STJ, led by Minister Daniela Teixeira, stated, "It is concerning to accept edited video to support a condemnatory decree, as it excluded the entire speech of the defendant, with emphasis on certain expressions without proper contextualization." This remark underscored the basis of Marcão's absolution, stating the original trial's assessment was flawed due to the incomplete evidence presented.
Following the announcement, Ludmilla took to social media, expressing her disbelief and disappointment over the decision. She thanked her fans for their continued support and announced plans to challenge the STJ's ruling. "Thank you all for your support and affection. My lawyers will appeal this decision, and I will never give up this fight," she shared on her Instagram stories.
Public reaction has been swift and unforgiving. Followers of both Ludmilla and advocates against racism have shared their frustration over social media platforms. The trending hashtag '#JustiçaPorLudmilla' quickly became the focal point of discussions on platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter. Users voiced their discontent with the judicial system, citing this decision as indicative of the broader issue of racial bias and injustice prevalent within society.
Many have drawn attention to the broader impacts of the case, with comments such as, "The justice system has the nerve to categorize this as mere journalistic opinion. Racism is becoming increasingly blatant, and nothing is done!" This rallying cry has emerged from widespread belief among supporters who see Ludmilla's case as emblematic of the struggles faced by Black individuals within Brazil.
Reflecting on her experiences, Ludmilla has indicated the emotional toll such incidents have taken on her. Despite her fame and fortune, she recounted receiving relentless racial attacks and noted her determination to see justice served. "I haven't stopped to count them because there are many, I can’t keep track. It hurt so much the first few times it happened. I think I wasn't mature or equipped enough to handle the situation. Now I am stronger, I have more resilience. I told my lawyers and everyone around me: no matter what, someone must pay for this because it's a crime," she remarked during previous interviews.
This latest court ruling is seen as part of the long-standing challenges faced by victims of racism seeking justice within the societal and legal frameworks of Brazil. Ludmilla's case highlights not only individual grievances but signals the systemic issues faced by many others who may not have the resources or visibility she commands.
With her team preparing to launch the appeal, it remains to be seen how this case will evolve. Ludmilla, now with even greater public backing, continues to symbolize hope and resilience against racial discrimination and aims to challenge the judicial pronouncements she deems unjust.
Her steadfast commitment reasserts the notion: the battle against racism is far from over, and Ludmilla vows to lead the fight as long as it takes.
