Following an incident where state deputy Fabiana Bolsonaro painted her body black during a session, the São Paulo Legislative Assembly (Alesp) declared that members of the assembly are constitutionally protected when expressing their opinions in plenary. The practice, known as blackface, is widely recognized as a racist act. The assembly emphasized that the Constitution guarantees the inviolability of lawmakers for their opinions, words, and votes, which is essential for the free exercise of their mandates.

This incident arose as a protest against Erika Hilton's election to chair the Women's Rights Commission in the Chamber of Deputies. Fabiana Bolsonaro, who is not related to former president Jair Bolsonaro, has faced backlash for her actions. As the controversy unfolded, the president of the assembly, André do Prado, has not publicly commented, maintaining a position of silence since the event.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions around race and representation in Brazilian politics, particularly in light of recent discussions about the role of race in office. Alesp’s stance raises questions regarding acceptable forms of protest and the implications of such actions on public discourse and accountability among elected officials.