Councilor Helen Cabral (PT), from Santa Maria, in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul, denounced having suffered political gender violence during the Ordinary Plenary Session last Tuesday (2), at the City Council. 
The attack took place while the councilor spoke about a possible lack of transparency from the Executive and defended the rights of civil servants in the face of the project to pay 13th salary in installments.
“The parliamentarian was attacked by councilor Tony Oliveira, from the government base, who, shouting, abandoned the democratic debate and attacked violently, in a clear attempt at intimidation. The misogynistic attack not only exceeds all acceptable limits within a public institution, but also constitutes the most serious act of gender-based political violence ever suffered by the councilor within the Chamber”, said Helen, in a statement.
Helen Cabral says she was attacked by councilor Tony Oliveira Photo: Councilor Helen Cabral/Facebook
In her assessment, the aggression did not occur due to a difference of ideas, but because she was a woman occupying a space of power. She highlights that the episode happened precisely during the 5th Municipal Week of Non-Violence Against Women, a law of her authorship. Also this week, the councilor participates in the Movimento Mulheres em Luta (MEL) Festival, which this year discusses political gender violence against women parliamentarians.
“I want to know what attitude the presidency will take in relation to the gender-based violence that I suffered tonight from councilor Tony, when he attacked me. Gender-based violence is a crime and I want to know what the presidency will do. The violence against this councilor is against all the women in this house. And I do not admit to continuing to suffer gender-based violence in this parliament”, said Helen in a video posted on a social network.
The note also says that all institutional and legal measures are already being taken, including communication to the Board of Directors demanding action and registration of a Police Report at the Women’s Police Station, so that the aggressor is held accountable and so that situations like this never occur again.
The Santa Maria City Council has not yet commented on the episode.
Other side
Councilor Tony Oliveira recorded a video saying that he apologizes for what he called “firm exaltation” in the Chamber. He claims that left-wing parties are “spreading false narratives and accusing him of baseless aggression.”
According to him, at no point did he threaten to hit or hit anyone.
“It all started when I started the debate on voting on a project and in the previous session they knocked the quorum down. They started to insult me and of course I defended myself. But at no point did I say profanity to anyone.”
Oliveira guaranteed that he will go to the Ethics Council with a request for the impeachment of councilor Helen Cabral and other councilors in addition to the advisors who also allegedly offended him.
*Article updated at 5:18 pm to add the position of councilor Tony Oliveira
