Peaceful marches of protesting teachers turn violent in Rio and Sao Paulo

Tuesday, October 8th 2013 - 06:33 UTC

Full article 11 comments

In the dark some protesters threw firebombs at public buildings and riot police responded with tear gas

Protesters demonstrating in support of teachers receiving better pay in the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have clashed with police. The centre of Rio was packed with more than 10,000 people marching peacefully. But as it got dark, some protesters threw firebombs at public buildings and riot police responded with tear gas

A similar protest in Sao Paulo also ended in violent confrontation with police after many banks were ransacked by hooded protesters.

Brazil's security situation is a challenge to cities that will play host to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.

The latest demonstration took place over several hours and was peaceful at first. But once night fell, violent incidents broke out as at least 20 “black bloc” anarchists smashed a City Hall gate while others broke into banks and tried to break into ATMs. Some bank branches were set alight.

Demonstrators also torched a bus on busy Rio Branco Avenue, and took furniture out of banks to use in barricades as the stand-off off with police continued.

Authorities used tear gas to restore order.

Teachers have been agitating for a pay increase for two months. About 50,000 people were estimated to have marched to support them before the violence broke out, but police would only confirm the 10,000 estimate.

Categories: Politics, Brazil.

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GeoffWard2
The training of teachers in Brasil 'socialises' their thinking, not least because it is a large part of the curriculum. This may well make it easy for them to march - but it does not mean that they are 'black bloc' 'members'. These destructive anarchistic individuals are more likely to be opportunists venting their spleen about the general condition of Brasilian governance.
I feel much sympathy for the cause of the teachers; appropriate training, appropriate resources and properly funded schools would go a long way to improving them, their status within Brasilian society, and it would certainly improve Brasil.
Oct 08th, 2013 - 10:55 am 0
Brasileiro
That's right Geoff. The police need to act smartly to disarm these thugs called “Black Block”. Infiltrate agents among them and send them to prison.
Oct 08th, 2013 - 12:16 pm 0
Fido Dido
The teachers need to be paid better. the so called “Black Block members” are upper middle class spoiled schmucks that need to be removed from the streets and be send to prison or just get rid of them.
Oct 08th, 2013 - 03:21 pm 0

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