Conservative Women Group Considers US Lawsuit Over Online Harassment
A group of conservative women involved in politics is considering legal action in the United States against individuals they allege are part of a "hate cabinet" spreading online attacks. These social media assaults have been cited as a reason for former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro's recent video, in which she also criticized her stepson, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. In the video, Michelle Bolsonaro mentioned coordinated "malice" from abroad, targeting her daily and noting that some perpetrators still appear in photos with Flávio Bolsonaro. Two members of right-wing parties confirmed that a US-based lawyer has been contacted and that they have compiled numerous social media posts containing attacks against women in politics or those publicly expressing views on social issues. They believe these posts constitute slander, defamation, and insult, which are also considered crimes in the US. Besides Michelle Bolsonaro, frequent targets include Senator Damares Alves and Federal District Governor Celina Leão. The group is also considering including attacks against left-wing women originating from the same profiles outside Brazil, alleging that the authors are Brazilians associated with Bolsonarism. Influencer Allan dos Santos, a follower of Olavo de Carvalho and a fugitive from Brazilian justice, was mentioned by the group. The complaint has been communicated to the president of the Liberal Party (PL), Valdemar Costa Neto, and presidential pre-candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. The issue has extended beyond women, with Congressman Marcos Feliciano urging Flávio Bolsonaro to control "fighting roosters" to avoid losing evangelical support.
This situation highlights the escalating digital warfare tactics employed in political discourse, extending beyond national borders. The legal strategy to pursue action in the US suggests an attempt to leverage international legal frameworks against perceived extraterritorial online harassment. This approach could set precedents for how political actors address cross-border digital attacks, particularly concerning defamation and incitement. The involvement of prominent political figures and parties indicates a broader strategic concern about online reputation management and the influence of digital 'hate cabinets' on political campaigns and public opinion. Future considerations may involve international cooperation on cybercrime and the regulation of online platforms to mitigate politically motivated disinformation and harassment campaigns.
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