Demanding Changes, Thousands Take to the Streets in Brazil

06/18/2013 - 08h38

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in 11 Brazilian capitals to protest against the increase in transportation fares, corruption, the World Cup and to demand improvement in public services, such as health care, education and security, among many other demands.

Politicians also were targets of the protests, such as President Rousseff (PT), Governors Alckmin (PSDB-SP) and Sérgio Cabral (PMDB-RJ), and Mayor Haddad (PT-SP).

"The peaceful protests are legitimate and typical of democracy," said Rousseff.

Politicians, including former presidents Lula and FHC, also declared support for the protests.

In São Paulo, the peaceful demonstration watched from afar by the police, had at least 65,000 people gathered at Largo da Batata, according to Datafolha.

Among the protestors, 84% said they were not connected to any political parties and 81% said they found out about the protest on Facebook.

In Brasilia, activists took the roof of the National Congress. In Rio, the protest ended in violence and vandalism, after an attempted invasion of the Legislative assembly.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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