Brazilian police arrest anti-World Cup protesters
June 21 Press TV
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.W
e 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. |