BSB 22/04/85 Monday
I didn’t go to school today. Tancredo died last night at 22:23. It’s a national holiday for banks, offices, etc. I don’ t know if there are lessons in school, but I just didn’t go. Now at 7:28 he’s being mummified and then later there’s going to be a service. Then he’ll fly to Brasilia and then tomorrow to Sao Joao Del Rey, to be buried … My mum came home last night at 1 in the morning and told me he had died and that I shouldn’t go to school today. He was born on the 4th of March (same day as Renata) and was 75 years old. The thing that really weakened him was the marathon after the election as he spent 15 days travelling around the world and during this time he only slept for about 3 hours a night, as he had to be in two different countries on the same day sometimes.. He will be here at 11:00 this morning. I wonder what’s going to happen to this country. The ministers that Tancredo nominated left their positions open so that Sarney, now the president, can decide who stays or goes.
Tancredo’s body was due to drive through the Eixao at 14:30. Renata, Alexandra, Nica and I went there on our bikes at 13:00. We went early so we could have a ride. We went all the way to the 16s. We met Daniele, Fabiane, Marcelinho, etc… We kept going backwards and forwards between the 14s and 16s. The Eixao was getting busier and the plane flew over our heads, with two jets next to it. He only drove past at 16:50, it really took ages. We joined all the cyclists, cars and people who were walking ahead of the car where Tancredo’s body was in, we were about 800m ahead of him. But it was mad and I kept bumping into the other bikes and motorbikes. We went to 405 quickly to go to the toilet and eat something. After I finished I called Renata and she said she had a massive Brazilian flag. We put the bikes away and went to Eixao holding the beautiful flag. When we got there Tancredo was driving by. Alexandra, Renata and I got a lift with two guys and a woman to the Planalto Palace. It was packed there and Tancredo’s coffin was being taken up the ramp. We opened the flag (we were at the ramp at the right side of the congress) and it started getting dark. There were scuffles happening everywhere. It was really sad. Renata started sulking because she wanted to leave and she started crying. Alex and I had to take the piss. We caught a lift with Acre’s Senator! He only gave us a lift because Renata asked for it nearly in tears.
Tancredo died from septicemia (sepsis) and multiple organ failure. In São Paulo, when Tancredo’s body was being taken to the airport, the largest crowd ever seen in the city came out to pay their respects.