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Brazil protests: Tens of thousands in union-led strikes Brazil protests: Tens of thousands in union-led strikes
(about 11 hours later)
Tens of thousands of workers across Brazil have joined a day of strikes called by the country's largest trade unions. Tens of thousands of workers across Brazil joined a day of strikes called by trade unions that ended in clashes between police and protesters.
Key ports and several motorways were blocked, many schools and banks stayed closed and crowds marched through Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Ports and motorways were blocked, banks and schools stayed closed, and crowds marched through Rio de Janeiro, where riot police deployed tear gas.
The unions want improved working conditions and better public services.The unions want improved working conditions and better public services.
The crowds were smaller than in last month's protests, which brought more than a million people onto the streets.The crowds were smaller than in last month's protests, which brought more than a million people onto the streets.
The June demonstrations were sparked by transport fare rises, but quickly encompassed other issues. The June demonstrations were sparked by transport fare rises, but quickly encompassed other issues including the cost of staging the World Cup and corruption.
Other grievances were over the costs of staging the World Cup, corruption and demands for better health, education and transport. Those demonstrations often ended in fighting between police and protesters.
Thursday's so-called "National Day of Struggles" was largely peaceful.
However, several thousand protesters clashed with police in Rio and police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds.
The BBC's Julia Carneiro in Rio says Thursday's day of action was much more traditional than the earlier demonstrations, with trade unions and political banners prominent in the crowds.
The protesters' demands included the reduction of working hours, more investment in health and education, and free public transport.
Transport chaosTransport chaos
The "National Day of Struggles" called by the unions hit at least 10 Brazilian states on Thursday. History teacher Fernando da Costa Vieira said the event had a clearer agenda than June's protests and put the unions back at the centre of the debate.
Activities at Brazil's busiest port, Santos, and in Itaguai, in the south, and Suape, in the north-east, were halted by the strikers early in the morning. "Here you have representatives of professors, doctors, transportation workers. These sectors had been fractured, they had forgotten their role as the vanguard of the working class," he told the BBC.
In many cities, bus and metro workers' strikes brought public transport to a near standstill, among them Porto Alegre, Salvador and Belo Horizonte. The action hit at least 10 states, bringing to a halt activities at Brazil's busiest port, Santos, and in Itaguai, in the south, and Suape, in the north-east.
In many cities, public transport was brought to a near standstill, among them Porto Alegre, Salvador and Belo Horizonte.
In Brazil's largest city, Sao Paulo, an estimated 4,000-strong crowd again blocked the renowned Avenida Paulista.In Brazil's largest city, Sao Paulo, an estimated 4,000-strong crowd again blocked the renowned Avenida Paulista.
"We want things to improve in the country. We are marching because health and education are in crisis in Brazil. There must be a change," Rosely Paschetti, a Sao Paulo municipal employee, told AFP news agency. The nationwide demonstrations in June for better education, healthcare and transport prompted President Dilma Rousseff to present a package of investment and reforms in public services.
The unions demanded land and pension reforms, a shorter working week and better public services, among other issues. Ms Rousseff also proposed a national plebiscite on political reform, but members of the Congress recently said it would be practically impossible to organise a public consultation on the issue before next year's elections.
In Rio de Janeiro, protest organisers gathered at least 2,500 people in the central area of the city.
Although the demonstration was largely peaceful, police used tear gas to disperse some groups of protesters.
The nationwide demonstrations in June for better education, healthcare and transport prompted President Dilma Rousseff to present a package of investments and reforms in public services.
Ms Rousseff also proposed a national referendum on political reform, but members of the Congress recently said it would be practically impossible to organise a public consultation on the issue before next year's elections.