Senator Gilberto Marinho demanded on the floor of the Brazilian Congress, at Brasilia today, that the country’s naturalization act be amended in such a manner as to wipe out about 150 regulations affecting naturalized citizens here. About 80,000 of Brazil’s 150,000 Jews are naturalized citizens, the remainder being either native-born or citizens of other countries.
Among the discriminations which Sen. Marinho seeks to wipe off the statute books are prohibitions against naturalized citizens to teach in public schools, to speak over the radio in the Portuguese language, or to run for Congress. The amendments have been pending in Congress for five years but, thus far, no action has been taken by the national legislature.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
