Among the signatories are some prominent names, including the nationally well-known singer Chico Buarque and a former judge in the Supreme Court.
The fundraiser started at the Faculty of Law at the University of São Paulo and takes place in response to President Jair Bolsonaro’s attacks on institutions and the electoral system, although the president is never mentioned by name.
“We are going through a time of great danger for normal democracy, with risk to the institutions of the republic and insinuations of disrespecting the election results,” the petition says.
Bolsonaro’s criticism of the electronic voting system has raised concerns about whether he will accept a possible electoral defeat in the election later this year. The incumbent president is behind in opinion polls against former president and challenger Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.