IT’S carnival time in Rio. And a judge has issued an order banning a Rio samba group from parading during carnival with a float depicting naked bodies of Holocaust victims.
Judge Juliana Kalichszteim issued the injunction in response to a lawsuit by the Jewish Federation of Rio de Janeiro, which asked for the float be removed from this city’s famed carnival parade next week, said Lara Voges, a spokeswoman for the judge.
The judge said the float could be used in the parade, but that organizers of the Viradouro samba group must remove mannequins meant to represent dead bodies from the Holocaust.
The Jewish Federation praised the judge’s decision.
“It’s inadmissible that they could have a parade float depicting dead Jews and a live Hitler on top of them,” said federation spokesman Jose Roitberg.
Reports in the media have said that Viradouro had planned to feature at least one dancer dressed as Adolf Hitler in the parade, using the theme: “It Gives you Goose Bumps.”
File under ‘Only ‘aving a laugh, mate; can’t you take a joke?’
Posted: 1st, February 2008 | In: Strange But True Comments (5) | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink
Comments
- Graeme (aka eggman) on Flexetarians Are Meat-Eating Vegetarians
- Graeme (aka eggman) on US Forced Fort Hood Murderer Nidal Hasan To Join The Army
- agw on David Haye’s Mouth Takes On Nikolai Valuev’s Hairy Back
- magnetite on Fort Hood Shootings Latest News: US Soldier Nidal Hasan Shoots 13 Dead
- diamondmind on Interview With Survior Of James Arthur Ray’s Sedona Sweat Lodge
February 1st, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I think it’s good to look this tragic part of history in the face. But a float at Mardi Gras seems a bit too in the face. If there are still survivors of the Holocaust who are offended by this then scrap it, it’s too soon to be showcased at a festival. May well terrify any kiddies in the audience too.
I know where yr coming from Sammy J, it’s good that it’s being acknowledged and should be openly spoken of. Perhaps it’s the forum chosen to deliver the message that offended the Jewish group?
Mind you, South America is no stranger to brutal dictatorial regimes.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
What next, a papier mache Gaza refugee camp, with a blinking neon sign: “It’s just like camping!”.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:39 am
I don’t think we should ignore any part of history, but it’s perhaps a little too soon to turn Hitler into a camp pantomime villain we all love to be scared by (although that’s obviously where he’s heading).
February 1st, 2008 at 7:36 am
At least they are not denying it happened.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:33 am
hang on, are we to ignore this part of history and ban it from conversation from now on?
I think the float should stay as a stark reminder to people who didn’t live through the war. We are protected from the bad bits of life too much.