By Aquiles Lins
Bolsonarista lawyer Klaus Fins drew a wave of criticism in Teresópolis, in the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro state, after he said shops owned by supporters of the Workers’ Party (PT) should carry a red star at the entrance. In a video posted on social media, Fins also called for an economic boycott of business owners who voted for President Lula da Silva.
Lawyer Klaus Fins suggested resuscitating intimidation techniques from the darkest period in the history of the land of his ancestors (photo: social media)
The video appeared as a list circulated that links local businesses to their owners’ alleged party preferences, according to the column by Ancelmo Gois in the newspaper O Globo. Teresópolis City Hall issued an official statement condemning intimidation, discrimination and economic retaliation over electoral disagreements.
In the recording, Fins stood next to a restaurant employee and said a movement already existed to stop buying products and services from merchants identified as PT supporters. He suggested that business owners display their politics publicly so shoppers could identify their shops. Fins said: “Since those PT people believe the PT is best for the country, voted for Lula and, in theory, elected this president, let them run their businesses with Lula as president. Here’s what you do: stick a PT star on your little shop door and see what happens. There is already a movement not to buy from, support or do business with PT supporters, because they ruined the country’s economy.”
Proposal recalls persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany
Marking shops by their owners’ politics raises concern because of its parallel with methods of discrimination in Nazi Germany. Under Adolf Hitler, shops owned by Jews were identified and targeted by organized boycotts. These campaigns were part of a process of economic and social exclusion that preceded the deeper, systematic persecution of Jews.
The historical contexts differ, but Fins’ proposal shares one feature with those practices: publicly identifying merchants who belong to a certain group and urging consumers to cut economic ties with them. In Teresópolis, the group is defined by party preference. Fins’ proposal turns business owners’ votes into grounds for boycotts and public pressure.
Teresópolis City Hall condemns political persecution
After the video and the list drew attention, Teresopolis City Hall issued a statement rejecting any effort to embarrass merchants and professionals over their political choices. “It is unacceptable for electoral disagreements to be turned into instruments of hostility, persecution or attempts to harm commercial and professional activities,” the statement reads.
City Hall also said political plurality and freedom of expression must be preserved, and that personal or economic reprisals cannot be allowed to undermine democratic coexistence. It closed by asking residents and merchants not to let party differences damage their relations: “Elections pass. Respect must remain.”
List of merchants heightens fears of intimidation
The list adds a concrete dimension to the controversy. Identifying companies by the politics attributed to their owners can expose them to campaigns of embarrassment and discrimination. The episode also raises the question of where a person’s freedom to choose where to shop ends and organized hostility over political convictions begins.
The dispute goes beyond disagreement over the federal government. Fins tied the operation of private businesses to their owners’ votes and encouraged shoppers to exclude merchants identified as Lula supporters. City Hall said economic and professional activity should not suffer reprisals from party disputes.
Lawyer did not respond to requests for comment
According to Ancelmo Gois, O Globo tried to reach Fins at the phone numbers listed in his Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) registration and got no answer. The newspaper said it would welcome his response to his statements and the reaction to the video. As of the original report, Fins had not responded to the newspaper's questions.
This article originally ran in Brasil 247, has been translated by Panamerican Dispatch with the express authorization of its editor-in-chief, and can be read in its original Portuguese here.