This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/18/brazil-protests-erupt-huge-scale

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Brazil protests erupt on huge scale Brazil protests erupt on huge scale
(about 1 hour later)
Brazil experienced one of its biggest nights of protest in decades on Monday as more than 100,000 people took to the streets nationwide to express their frustration at heavyhanded policing, poor public services and high costs for the World Cup of football.Brazil experienced one of its biggest nights of protest in decades on Monday as more than 100,000 people took to the streets nationwide to express their frustration at heavyhanded policing, poor public services and high costs for the World Cup of football.
The major demonstrations in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia, Belem, Belo Horizonte, Salvador and elsewhere marked a rapid escalation after bus price increases led to smaller protests last week and subsequent complaints of police violence. The major demonstrations in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia, Belem, Belo Horizonte, Salvador and elsewhere started peacefully but several ended with clashes with police and arson attacks on cars and buses.
The large turnout and geographic spread marked a rapid escalation after smaller protests last week against bus prices increases led to complaints of police violence.
Coinciding with the start of the Confederations Cup – a World Cup test event – the rallies brought together a wide coalition of people frustrated with the escalating costs and persistently poor quality of public services, lavish investment on international sporting events, low standards of healthcare and wider unease about inequality and corruption.Coinciding with the start of the Confederations Cup – a World Cup test event – the rallies brought together a wide coalition of people frustrated with the escalating costs and persistently poor quality of public services, lavish investment on international sporting events, low standards of healthcare and wider unease about inequality and corruption.
In Rio images and video posted online showed vast crowds, seemingly of more than 100,000 people. In Rio images and video posted online showed vast crowds.
While the vast majority were peaceful, several police were injured in clashes at the city's legislative assembly, at least one car was overturned and burned, and windows were smashed in the offices of banks and notary offices. 
/> 
/>At a far smaller rally in Brasilia demonstrators broke through police lines to enter the high-security area of the national congress. Twitter images showed several climbing on to the roof of the structure.  		While the vast majority of demonstrations were peaceful, several police were injured in clashes at the city's legislative assembly, at least one car was overturned and burned and windows were smashed in the offices of banks and notary offices. 
In Belo Horizonte police clashed with a handful of protestors who tried to break through a cordon around a football stadium hosting a Confederations Cup match between Nigeria and Tahiti. The unrest escalated during the night as a large crowd set several fires outside the legislative assembly, smashed the building's windows and daubed graffiti on the walls proclaiming "Revolution", "Down with Paes, down with Cabral [the mayor and state governor]" and "Hate police". Police inside responded with pepper spray and perhaps more. The Guardian saw one protester passed out and bleeding heavily from a wound in the upper arm.
The causes pursued by the protesters varied widely. "We are here because we hate the government. They do nothing for us," said Oscar José Santos, a 19-year-old who was with a group of hooded youths from the Rocinha favela.
"I'm an architect but I have been unemployed for six months. There must be something wrong with this country," said Nadia al Husin, holding up a banner calling on the government to do more for education.
At a far smaller rally in Brasilia demonstrators broke through police lines to enter the high-security area of the national congress. Several climbed on to the roof. 
In Belo Horizonte police clashed with a handful of protest3rs who tried to break through a cordon around a football stadium hosting a Confederations Cup match between Nigeria and Tahiti.
In Port Alegre demonstrators set fire to a bus. There were also rallies in Belem, Salvador and elsewhere.
In São Paulo, which had seen the fiercest clashes last week and the main allegations of police violence, large crowds gathered once again but initial reports suggested the marches passed peacefully.In São Paulo, which had seen the fiercest clashes last week and the main allegations of police violence, large crowds gathered once again but initial reports suggested the marches passed peacefully.
Marcos Lobo, a 45-year-old music producer who joined the protest in São Paulo, told the Associated Press the actions of police during earlier demonstrations persuaded him to come out Monday. "I thought they [the protests] were infantile at first because of my preconceived notions," Lobo said. "Then I saw the aggression." Following widespread coverage of the costs of new and refurbished stadiums, the tournament has been one of the focuses of the protests. Before Saturday's opening match in Brasilia crowds of demonstrators were dispersed by riot police. Footage showed frightened Japanese supporters rushing from the area holding their children as the sound of shots – perhaps rubber bullets or tear gas – was heard.
Another protester, Manoela Chiabai, said she wanted to express her dissatisfaction with the status quo. "Everything in Brazil is a mess. There is no education, health care no security. The government doesn't care," the 26-year-old photographer said. "We're a rich country with a lot of potential but the money doesn't go to those who need it most."
Following widespread coverage of the costs of new and refurbished stadiums, the tournament has been one of the focuses of the protests. Before Saturday's opening match in Brasilia crowds of demonstrators were dispersed by riot police. Footage shows frightened Japanese supporters rushing from the area holding their children as the sound of shots – perhaps rubber bullets or tear gas – is heard.
On Sunday another protest march near Rio's Maracana stadium was met with a similarly heavy police response.On Sunday another protest march near Rio's Maracana stadium was met with a similarly heavy police response.
Most of the rallies appeared to start peacefully until they confronted the security forces, who are largely organised at a regional level.Most of the rallies appeared to start peacefully until they confronted the security forces, who are largely organised at a regional level.
President Dilma Rousseff condones the protests, according to her aides. "The president believes peaceful protests are legitimate and proper for a democracy and that it is natural for young people to demonstrate," said Helena Chagas of the president's office.  President Dilma Rousseff condones the protests, according to her aides. "The president believes peaceful protests are legitimate and proper for a democracy and that it is natural for young people to demonstrate," said Helena Chagas of the president's office.
However Dilma was booed at the opening ceremony for the Confederations Cup. With the economy in the doldrums and social unrest on the rise she faces a serious political challenge both now and in 2014, when Brazil will not only host the World Cup but also have a presidential election.However Dilma was booed at the opening ceremony for the Confederations Cup. With the economy in the doldrums and social unrest on the rise she faces a serious political challenge both now and in 2014, when Brazil will not only host the World Cup but also have a presidential election.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.