Issue and Opponent: On May 10, 1992, President Collor’s brother revealed Fernando Collor’s involvement in a peddling scheme during a magazine interview. On August 16, President Collor called for his supporters to wear the colors of the national flag, green and yellow.
Dilemma Action: Instead, opposition protestors showed up to the rally, outnumbering Collor’s supporters, wearing all-black clothing with their faces painted black. They paraded through Sao Paulo in black as a sign of mourning for the corruption of the Collor government. This initial march of mourning led to a second action on August 25 where protestors performed a mock burial of the Collor government. In this case, protestors painted their faces or dressed up as phantoms, prison inmates, rats, and the dragon of inflation to further set themselves apart from the national identity of Collor’s supporters.
Outcome: This demonstration pressured Collor’s regime into releasing an inquiry report on August 26. The report showed proof of the President using his campaign funds to pay for his expenses. Protestors then started a petition for his removal.