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Brazil: Protesters storm Congress seeking military rule | Brazil: Protesters storm Congress seeking military rule |
(35 minutes later) | |
Dozens of protesters demanding a military coup have forced their way into Brazil's lower chamber of Congress in the capital, Brasilia. | Dozens of protesters demanding a military coup have forced their way into Brazil's lower chamber of Congress in the capital, Brasilia. |
At least 40 demonstrators scuffled with guards and took over the podium as a session began on Wednesday. | At least 40 demonstrators scuffled with guards and took over the podium as a session began on Wednesday. |
Denouncing government corruption, they called for a return to military rule - which Brazil saw from 1964 to 1985. | Denouncing government corruption, they called for a return to military rule - which Brazil saw from 1964 to 1985. |
In Rio de Janeiro, police fired tear gas at public sector workers protesting against cuts. | In Rio de Janeiro, police fired tear gas at public sector workers protesting against cuts. |
The protesters swept past security guards and smashed a glass door to get into the parliament chamber, where they shouted "general here, general here" and sang the national anthem. | The protesters swept past security guards and smashed a glass door to get into the parliament chamber, where they shouted "general here, general here" and sang the national anthem. |
'Era of extremes' | 'Era of extremes' |
It took police three hours to round up all the protesters, according to Reuters news agency. They were all detained. | It took police three hours to round up all the protesters, according to Reuters news agency. They were all detained. |
Later in the day, President Michel Temer's spokesman, Alexandre Parola, called the protest an "affront" and said it was a "violation of the norms of democratic co-existence." | Later in the day, President Michel Temer's spokesman, Alexandre Parola, called the protest an "affront" and said it was a "violation of the norms of democratic co-existence." |
"It's worrying and serves as a warning. We are returning to an era of extremes," said one congressional deputy, Betinho Gomes. | "It's worrying and serves as a warning. We are returning to an era of extremes," said one congressional deputy, Betinho Gomes. |
Public confidence in Brazilian institutions has been eroded by a massive corruption scandal and the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. | Public confidence in Brazilian institutions has been eroded by a massive corruption scandal and the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. |
Mr Temer was Ms Rousseff's vice-president before being promoted after her dismissal. | Mr Temer was Ms Rousseff's vice-president before being promoted after her dismissal. |
Last week she filed court documents accusing him of accepting a large bribe. His party says the money was a legal campaign donation. | |
Brazil was one of several Latin American nations where the military overthrew democratic governments in the 1960s and 70s. | Brazil was one of several Latin American nations where the military overthrew democratic governments in the 1960s and 70s. |
The generals said they were countering the very real threat of a communist insurgency and had support from a considerable part of Brazil's elite. | The generals said they were countering the very real threat of a communist insurgency and had support from a considerable part of Brazil's elite. |
The regime detained, tortured - and in some cases - killed its opponents, while overseeing rapid economic growth. | The regime detained, tortured - and in some cases - killed its opponents, while overseeing rapid economic growth. |
Unpaid salaries | Unpaid salaries |
Also on Wednesday, protesters gathered outside the state legislature where austerity plans to tackle the city's financial crisis were being debated. | Also on Wednesday, protesters gathered outside the state legislature where austerity plans to tackle the city's financial crisis were being debated. |
Police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades into a crowd of about 2,000 protesters, ranging from teachers to off-duty police officers, AFP news agency reported. | Police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades into a crowd of about 2,000 protesters, ranging from teachers to off-duty police officers, AFP news agency reported. |
The state has been hit by a drop in global oil and commodity prices and declared a financial emergency ahead of the Rio Olympics earlier this year. | The state has been hit by a drop in global oil and commodity prices and declared a financial emergency ahead of the Rio Olympics earlier this year. |
Many public workers have not been paid in months. | Many public workers have not been paid in months. |
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