Brazil Protests Disrupt Independence Day Celebrations


Brazil Protests Disrupt Independence Day Celebrations

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Protesters in Brazil disrupted Independence Day celebrations, demanding better public services and an end to corruption.

In Rio de Janeiro, some 200 protesters interrupted the traditional Seventh of September military parade, shouting anti-government slogans.

They clashed with police, who threw tear gas and arrested dozens of people.

There were further clashes in the capital, Brasilia, where President Dilma Rousseff was giving a speech, BBC reported.

She said there was "still a lot to be done" in Brazil and that there were "urgent problems to be addressed and the population has the right to demand changes".

But she said the country had "progressed as never before in the last few years".

The official ceremony went ahead without incident, but hundreds of demonstrators later clashed with police outside the Congress building.

Demonstrators also attempted to make their voices heard outside the Mane Garrincha stadium ahead of a friendly match between the Brazilian football team and Australia.

Police stopped the march, which degenerated into violence. Some 50 arrests were made.

Many demonstrators accused the police of using excessive force.

Brazil saw a big wave of protests in June, as the country prepared to host the football Confederations Cup.

Initially, demonstrators demanded that a hike in bus and underground fares be revoked.

But the demonstrations grew into a much larger movement against corruption and excessive spending in preparations for next year's World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, which Rio will host.

 

 

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