LGBT and environmental activists in the United States are pressuring companies sponsoring an event that will honor Jair Bolsonaro to disconnect their brand—and their money—from the Brazilian president’s image.
This week 12 groups started daily protests that will take place until May 14, when Bolsonaro will be honored as “Person of the Year,” in a gala dinner promoted by the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce, at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square.
According to American television news, three companies have already pulled their sponsorship of the event - Financial Times newspaper, Delta Airlines, and Bain & Company.
According to CNN, Bain & Company confirmed in a note that one of its basic principles is to “encourage and celebrate diversity.” Delta did not make any comments.
Activists said there will be protests in front of the hotel every day in order to push companies to pull sponsorships. They believe that the pressure could possibly make Marriott decide not to host the event.
In addition to the protests, the groups are planning to send letters, launch a social media campaign and have reunions with company employees to intensify the pressure.
“If the companies don’t pull their sponsorship, they will suffer a boycott,” said Nadia Comani, of the Committee to Defend Democracy in Brazil, in New York.
Among those still sponsoring the event are financial institutions like Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Itaú, Bradesco and HSBC.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon