Brazilians continue protests despite government U-turn

Brazilians have thronged the streets of two big cities despite the reversal of public transport fare rises.

The protesters blocked main roads in Sao Paulo and Brasilia, while demonstrators in Rio de Janeiro clashed with police late on Wednesday.

The demonstrations came after authorities in Rio and Sao Paulo announced the reversal of a 10-cent hike in public transport fares.

Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes said the move would be a “big sacrifice” and said other investments should be cut accordingly.

The protests were triggered by the transit fare hikes, but have fueled with anger at the government’s lavish spending on the Confederation Cup, next year’s World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.

Earlier in the day, 10,000 protesters flooded the streets of the northern city of Fortaleza before Brazil football team played with Mexico in the Confederations Cup.

Protesters threw stones at riot police, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

On Monday, an estimated 240,000 people demonstrated across the nation, turning the protest into the largest in 20 years. Authorities reported that, in Rio de Janeiro, 20 officers and 10 demonstrators were injured in the Monday clashes.

More than 250,000 people have taken to the streets in over a dozen cities across the country over the past few days.

The demonstrators say they are angry at the vast amount of public money being spent on preparations for hosting next year’s World Cup. They argue that the government should instead spend public funds on health, education and other public services.