RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro ordered on Thursday, December 19th, the suspension of the evangelical worship music concert of singer Anayle Sullivan at the New Year’s Eve celebration in Copacabana, South Zone, promoted by the city hall.
The Brazilian Association of Atheists and Agnostics (ATEA) submitted a petition to the court alleging violation of the principles of state secularism and religious freedom.
Should the decision be breached, the city hall will be charged a fine of R$300,000 (US$75,000), as determined by judge Ana Cecília Argueso Gomes de Almeida.
According to the decision, the show’s performance represents an “improper use of the Executive Branch and public money, which belongs to the entire community”.
The City Hall announced, in a note, that the choice of the artists for the event “is the responsibility of the company that was awarded the bid” and that it was up to the company to submit the list of shows and the City Hall to grant formal approval.
Source: Globo