New Protest Against Bus Fares Ends in Confrontation in Rio

06/11/2013 - 08h47

On Monday protesters and the police clashed in the center of Rio during another manifestation against the increase in bus fares. Thirty people were arrested.

There was turmoil and many protestors threw rocks and coconuts at public buildings and the police, which used non-lethal weapons and pepper spray.

Stores closed and many people leaving work had to run to avoid the confrontation at about 6:30 pm.

Marcelo Fonseca/Folhapress

One of the groups was spreading garbage bags in the streets and setting fires.

The demonstrations are part of a series of acts against the rise in the price of public transportation. Bus fares rose to R$ 2.95 from R$2.75 on June 3.

Police shock troops used pepper spray against one of the groups, which was spreading garbage bags in the streets and setting fires.

The police also acted against a group coming from the Central do Brasil station towards the Central Bank building and was throwing stones against some windows.

Protestors ran towards the street kiosks on Uruguaiana street and the Saara area, which hosts many popular stores downtown. The area was surrounded, but the protestors mixed with people leaving work and many escaped from the police.

"When the police arrived, some protestors were throwing stones everywhere. Then they ran to the Saara. There were all kinds of people: homeless, students, people complaining about the bus fares," said retired Antonio de Souza, 67

The 30 people arrested were taken to the 5th Precinct station downtown to testify.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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