Benedita da Silva, a federal deputy and a significant evangelical leader within Brazil's Workers' Party (PT), has asserted the importance of artistic freedom for samba schools, specifically in light of Acadêmicos de Niterói's decision to include a segment in their parade that critiques conservative Brazilian families. She emphasized that such decisions should rest with the school's administration and community, drawing parallels to past controversies in the samba world, including the covering of a statue of Christ during a parade in the 1980s due to church objections.

Da Silva's comments come amidst a broader discussion within the PT and the current government regarding the potential fallout from President Lula's involvement with the samba school. Some party members fear that this association could risk alienating evangelical voters, a crucial demographic in Brazilian politics. The samba parade's creative expressions often touch on sensitive social issues, and the concern now hinges on whether the PT can maintain its support among various voter groups without hindering artistic expression.

In her remarks, da Silva noted her lack of engagement with Carnival festivities, indicating that she had not seen the specific parade segment that likened families to 'preserved food.' This suggests a nuanced position where she defends the rights of artistic expression while also acknowledging the varied responses such representations may invoke among the public and within political spheres. The implications of her stance highlight ongoing tensions between traditional values and progressive political narratives in Brazil.