Protests Continue in Brazil despite President’s Promises

A new round of protests unfolded across Brazil despite President Dilma Rousseff’s latest pledges to improve public services and fight corruption.
According to the police, more people protested in over 100 Brazilian cities on Saturday, totaling 250,000 nationwide, Xinhua reported.

The host cities of Confederations Cup football tournament continued to be the major flash points of furious demonstrations.

Local media reported that around 60,000 people chanting “The Cup for whom?” took to the streets and gathered in a central square in the Southeastern city of Belo Horizonte where Japan faced Mexico in a Confederations Cup match.

Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas when some protesters hurled rocks and tried to pass a barrier.

Protests also turned violent in the Northeastern city of Salvador where Brazil’s national football team defeated Italy in another Confederations Cup match.

Some 5,000 protesters rallied about 5 km from the stadium, denouncing Brazilian government’s spending on the 2014 World Cup. Protesters blocked a main road and clashed with police who tried to clear the street.

In Sao Paolo, around 30,000 demonstrators rushed to a main street in the city, protesting against a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit the power of public prosecutors to investigate crimes. Protesters said the legislation would make it harder to fight corruption.

Over the past few weeks, more than 1 million Brazilians have taken to the streets, venting anger against recent hikes of public transportation fares, heavy spending on international sports events and a wide range of other issues.

Nationwide protests on Thursday were initially peaceful, but turned violent in many places, with attacks on city hall buildings, even in the capital city of Brasilia.

The protests continued Friday in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo among other cities. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd in Rio.

In a nationally televised speech Friday night, President Rousseff tried to placate protesters, promising plans on public services, education and fight against corruption.

Brazil, which will host next year’s FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, has reportedly invested billions of dollars in infrastructure and other preparations.