Silent Protest Over Crime Wave Brings Rio to Halt

RIO DE JANEIRO — Rio de Janeiro came to a halt at midday Friday in a silent protest against the wave of violence that has overtaken the city.

Only the sound of torrential rain could be heard.

In the heart of the financial district, hundreds of people dressed in white embraced outside the Candelaria Church, the site of a massacre of eight street children in July.

Business people, union leaders, show business personalities and workers held hands for two minutes of silence.

Next to the church, members of various religious sects, ranging from Hare Krishnas to practitioners of the Afro-Brazilian religion of macumba, were brought together to call for peace as well as an end to unemployment.

Rio police reported 3,255 murders in 1992, equivalent to 60.75 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, almost double the rate of New York City.

At the end of the two minutes, bells across the city rang out and protesters swapped kisses.

“What is important is that we know we can sort it out,” said sociologist Hebert de Souza, a leader of the movement known as Viva Rio. “This is just the beginning.”

He called on residents to help police end the violence.

Joao Costa Lima, a 67-year-old pensioner, said, “Any movement that can unite so many different sectors can help the city.”