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Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff 'proud' of protests | Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff 'proud' of protests |
(35 minutes later) | |
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has said she is proud of the tens of thousands of people who have taken to the streets to demand better education, schools and transport. | Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has said she is proud of the tens of thousands of people who have taken to the streets to demand better education, schools and transport. |
"My government is listening to the voices calling for change," said Ms Rousseff in her first comments since Monday night's protests. | |
The protests began with demands for bus fare hikes to be revoked. | The protests began with demands for bus fare hikes to be revoked. |
They have turned into nationwide demonstration against bad governance. | They have turned into nationwide demonstration against bad governance. |
"Brazil has woken up a stronger country," said President Rousseff. | "Brazil has woken up a stronger country," said President Rousseff. |
"The size of yesterday's marches is evidence of the strength of our democracy." | "The size of yesterday's marches is evidence of the strength of our democracy." |
"It is good to see so many young people, and adults - the grandson, the father and the grandfather - together holding the Brazilian flag, singing our anthem and fighting for a better country," said Ms Rousseff. | "It is good to see so many young people, and adults - the grandson, the father and the grandfather - together holding the Brazilian flag, singing our anthem and fighting for a better country," said Ms Rousseff. |
She said her government had lifted "40 million people into the middle class" but more needed to be done to improve access to free health and education. | She said her government had lifted "40 million people into the middle class" but more needed to be done to improve access to free health and education. |
The demonstrations are Brazil's largest since 1992, when people took to the streets to demand the impeachment of President Fernando Collor de Mello. | The demonstrations are Brazil's largest since 1992, when people took to the streets to demand the impeachment of President Fernando Collor de Mello. |
More demonstrations are planned in several Brazilian cities in the next few hours, with a major rally set to take place in Rio on Wednesday. | More demonstrations are planned in several Brazilian cities in the next few hours, with a major rally set to take place in Rio on Wednesday. |
'Isolated violence' | 'Isolated violence' |
The current wave of protests began earlier this month, with marches in Sao Paulo against a hike in the price of bus fares, from 3 reals ($1.40, £0.90) to 3.20. | The current wave of protests began earlier this month, with marches in Sao Paulo against a hike in the price of bus fares, from 3 reals ($1.40, £0.90) to 3.20. |
They have been organised largely by young people through social media. The organisers called the movement Passe Livre (or Free Access). | They have been organised largely by young people through social media. The organisers called the movement Passe Livre (or Free Access). |
Monday night saw the biggest demonstrations since the movement began. | Monday night saw the biggest demonstrations since the movement began. |
In Brazil's largest city, Sao Paulo, about 65,000 people took to the streets. | In Brazil's largest city, Sao Paulo, about 65,000 people took to the streets. |
The largest march was in Rio de Janeiro, where some 100,000 people marched peacefully through the city centre. | The largest march was in Rio de Janeiro, where some 100,000 people marched peacefully through the city centre. |
Towards the end of the evening in Rio, there were violent clashes between groups of protesters and police. | Towards the end of the evening in Rio, there were violent clashes between groups of protesters and police. |
The Rio de Janeiro state assembly was attacked, shops were vandalised and a car was set alight. | The Rio de Janeiro state assembly was attacked, shops were vandalised and a car was set alight. |
There were also isolated incidents in Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Porto Alegre and other cities. | There were also isolated incidents in Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Porto Alegre and other cities. |
"The isolated acts of violence, carried out by a minority, should be vigorously condemned," said Ms Rousseff. | "The isolated acts of violence, carried out by a minority, should be vigorously condemned," said Ms Rousseff. |
The demonstrations gathered pace as Brazil hosts the Confederations Cup, a curtain-raiser event for next year's football World Cup. | The demonstrations gathered pace as Brazil hosts the Confederations Cup, a curtain-raiser event for next year's football World Cup. |
Many complained of the huge amounts spent on construction for the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, which will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro. | Many complained of the huge amounts spent on construction for the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, which will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro. |
"We need better education, hospitals and security, not billions spent on the World Cup," said one mother who attended the Sao Paulo march with her daughter. | "We need better education, hospitals and security, not billions spent on the World Cup," said one mother who attended the Sao Paulo march with her daughter. |
Deputy Sports Minister Luis Fernandes said the World Cup had provided an opportunity for the country to invest in infra-structure which will benefit everyone. | Deputy Sports Minister Luis Fernandes said the World Cup had provided an opportunity for the country to invest in infra-structure which will benefit everyone. |
"There is widespread support in the Brazilian population for the World Cup and the Confederations Cup," said Mr Fernandes. | "There is widespread support in the Brazilian population for the World Cup and the Confederations Cup," said Mr Fernandes. |