Brazilians Dress in Black to ‘Mourn’ Corrupt Government

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilians delivered a sharp rebuff Sunday to President Fernando Collor de Mello, ignoring en masse his plea to wear the national colors in a show of support against the corruption charges threatening his government.

Tens of thousands of people in the main cities instead heeded an opposition call to wear black in mourning for their corruption- and inflation-plagued country.

In the capital, Brasilia, about 10,000 “mourners” massed outside the government ministries and presidential palace for a march to Collor’s private residence.

In Rio, more than 10,000 demonstrators wearing black clothing and beachwear marched through the oceanfront district of Copacabana chanting anti-government slogans.

Congressional investigators have heard testimony and discovered bank statements suggesting that Collor and his family profited from tens of millions of dollars illicitly garnered by his close friend and former campaign treasurer, Paulo Cesar Farias.

Collor has vigorously denied all the accusations against him and described them as the work of opposition plotters intent on a coup.

Collor has said he will not resign, but impeachment proceedings are expected to begin shortly after congressional investigators announce their findings on Saturday.

Last week, former President Jose Sarney, now a senator, said that he would support impeachment.