Brazilian police arrest anti-World Cup protesters

Brazilian police have arrested a number of anti-World Cup protesters in Rio de Janeiro as demonstrations over the costs of the tournament linger on.

The protesters gathered outside the Candelaria Church in Rio on Friday when about 200 riot police rushed to the scene and arrested them.

One of the protesters called Valeria Matos, a teacher, said that she protests against the spending on World Cup projects that according to her came at the expense of basic social services.

“We are tired of so many wrongs in our country, the colors of our country, the schools, hospitals, our culture, all the things that are wrong that you are unaware of. Everything here has been abandoned, money is lacking for so many things, except for football.”

Thousands of people in Sao Paulo gathered on Thursday to commemorate the first anniversary of people’s successful attempt to prevent a rise in public bus and subway fares.

Also on Wednesday, demonstrators took to the streets in the city of Porto Alegre to protest against rising public costs of the World Cup in the country. The protesters shouted slogans against the government’s spending for the games.

Brazil has seen almost daily protests and strikes over the USD 11-billion expense of the sports event. Critics say the money should rather be invested in health, education, transportation, and housing sectors. They also accuse the Brazilian government of corruption in deals related to the infrastructures of the games.