Protestors shout slogans at riot police, asking for no violence, during an anti-government demonstration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 20, 2013.
Brazil＇s president has called for an emergency meeting to discuss an intensifying protest movement that has not slowed despite government concessions.
More than a million protesters rallied in dozens of cities across Brazil Thursday, including at least 300,000 in Rio de Janeiro where police fired tear gas to contain the crowds.
Protesters also stormed the foreign ministry in the capital, Brasilia, throwing burning objects and firecrackers into the building before being repelled by police.
President Dilma Rousseff will meet with several government ministers early Friday to discuss how to respond to the protests, the country＇s biggest in two decades. She has already called off a trip to Japan planned for next week.
This week＇s protests were originally triggered by an increase in bus and subway fares, but protesters have since focused on what they say is the government＇s neglect of public services, high taxes, and rampant corruption.
Protesters have been undeterred by the news that Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have scrapped plans to increase public transportation fees.
The protests also are targeting the billions of dollars being spent to host the 2016 Summer Games, next year＇s World Cup and this month＇s Confederations Cup.
Police in Rio cordoned off the area around Maracana Stadium Thursday, worried that protesters would try to disrupt the Confederations Cup football match under way inside. |
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