Wisconsin state Rep. John Macco is calling on the Green Bay Packers to move Friday’s game in Brazil to the United States out of safety and free speech concerns.
“In light of the current political and social climate in Brazil, I urge the National Football League (NFL) and Green Bay Packers to reconsider the upcoming game scheduled to be held in Brazil on Friday,” Macco wrote in a statement.
Macco’s statement came as players for both the Packers and the Philadelphia Eagles have raised safety concerns of their own. The Packers and Eagles are scheduled to play at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo.
Justices on Brazil’s Supreme Court have engaged in extreme censorship by banning X nationwide in that country, in part because Elon Musk and X won’t block users. People would be fined $8,900 a day for using virtual private networks to access X.
“He violated the constitution of Brazil repeatedly and egregiously, after swearing an oath to protect it,” Musk wrote of the justice who initially instituted the X ban.
— Rep. John Macco (@RepMacco) September 3, 2024
“The alarming reports of widespread unrest, escalating violence, and profound censorship against US companies operating within Brazil paint a troubling picture of the conditions there,” Macco wrote.
“Hosting a game in such an environment not only risks the safety and well-being of players, staff, and fans but also risks sending a message contrary to the values the NFL and the Packers stand for,” Macco wrote. “It would be in the NFL’s best interest to move the game back to the United States where safety can be ensured for all in attendance and take a stand for the freedom of speech.”
One man thanked Macco for the stance on his comment thread. “Lifelong Cheesehead, born in Oregon, raised in S.E. Washington. I have never heard of you until this release caught my attention. I fully support your view on this, and as of about 20 minutes ago, I fully support your fight in Wisconsin. Thank you for standing up for our rights,” he wrote.
