Friday, June 09, 2006

Rio Shaking Down Motorists for World Cup Decorations

Now this is one soccer crazed country.

Cars have been stopped by rope barriers in side streets and drivers asked to make contributions.

In one recent such incident in Rio's hilltop Santa Teresa district, a young man in T-shirt and shorts approached a halted car. But instead of drawing a gun -- as often happens in this crime-plagued city -- the man politely asked: "Any change to buy decorations ?"

On payment of a couple of reais ($1), the rope was dropped.

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