Protests Continue in Brazil as World Cup Countdown Begins

Brazil saw renewed protests on June 4, just one week before the World Cup opening game is due to take place in São Paulo’s Corinthians Stadium.

Yesterday’s protest took place during a friendly match between Panama and the host country. Though many of the protests have been dismissed as random acts of violence by some Brazilian politicians and media, in reality, most of the demonstrations in recent weeks have grown out of broad social movements. And for many of these same politicians, the fear of industrial action is very pronounced.

June 4 protests in São Paulo, like previous protests, saw homeless people, teachers and union members, including municipal workers' unions, take to the streets, gathering in the city center to voice their anger and frustration over the enormous cost of the World Cup. The Workers Without Homes Movement galvanized thousands of people to join Wednesday’s protests, and, as in other demonstrations, thousands of people gravitated towards Paulista Avenue, at the heart of Brazil’s financial community. What is being spent on the World Cup, they argue, should have been invested in healthcare, transport, education, and on building infrastructure for poorer communities, including affordable housing. Protesters also voiced outrage over the high levels of corruption in Brazilian politics, city planning and among the police. Transport union workers also joined the protests. Police put the number of protesters at around 10,000, though other reports have suggested as many as 20,000 people took part.

São Paulo and other Brazilian cities have seen protests mount in recent weeks. In mid-May, teachers calling for better working conditions staged a protest at the same time anti-World Cup demonstrators voiced their anger. Amid increasing tensions and confrontation between protesters and the police, officers used pepper spray to disperse the public.

In Recife, northeastern Brazil, some protests led to violence, and the military were brought in to deal with riots. There were reports that some protesters shot guns into the air and that shops were vandalized. Military tanks were sent to Boa Viagem Beach, one of the most popular tourist beaches in that part of the country.

In some cases, police officers themselves were on strike: in May, officers staged a three-day strike in many of the country’s cities; in April, police in Salvador engaged in industrial action.

Demonstrations have also taken place in Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre. Belo Horizonte, where Iran will play against Argentina on June 21, saw widespread violence, more than in cities like Rio, though São Paulo has been the focal point for most of the rallies. 

On Friday, Brazil is due to play another friendly, against Serbia, at another São Paulo stadium, Morumbi, located in one of the city's most wealthy neighborhoods. 

Follow Patricia Gomes on Twitter: @PALION 

Related: Read  "Is Brazil Ready for the World Cup?" by Karina Pignataro