Brazil courts convict neighbor for repeated racial harassment; school bullying case emerges

A woman in Pernambuco, Brazil, was sentenced by the state court to 10 years and six months in prison for a series of racist attacks against a local family over about three years. The offenses included verbal insults such as “bando de macacos,” throwing dog feces, bananas, stones and bricks at the family’s home, and threatening to set their car on fire. The conviction follows a prior arrest and reflects Brazil’s anti‑racism law, which treats such conduct as an unforgivable crime.

In a separate incident in Praia Grande, São Paulo, a 12‑year‑old girl was subjected to racist bullying by classmates. She was called “macaca” and compared to a monkey in group messages, with the harassment extending to her mother through offensive photos and comments. The victim’s mother reported the abuse to the police, prompting an investigation into the school environment.

Both cases highlight the persistence of racial harassment in Brazil, prompting legal action and public scrutiny.