Vandalism and Injured Protestors during Demonstration against Privatization in Rio de Janeiro

02/10/2017 - 11h10

The Rio de Janeiro city center staged once again violent protests on Thursday, February 9. The state's employees and police officers clashed in front of the Legislative Assembly, where state representatives discussed the privatization of Cedae, the state sewage and water supply company.

At least four protestors were injured. Bank and store windows were smashed during the confrontation which lasted nearly four hours.

Protestors used fireworks against the police. In 2014, a cameraman of TV channel Band died after he was hit by a rocket during a protest in the city.

The president of the Legislative Assembly, Jorge Picciani (Brazilian Democratic Movement Party), changed the schedule of the voting in an attempt to demobilize the protests occurring outside the house.

The session, which had been scheduled for 3:00 p.m., was transferred to 7:00 p.m. The state representatives filed 209 amendments to the project that calls for the sale of Cedae.

The voting on the sale is likely to occur next Tuesday, February 14.

The privatization of Cedae is part of the package approved by the federal government to help recover the state's financial situation.

The federal government allowed Rio de Janeiro to suspend the payment of interest on its debt with the federal government for three years, which would help improve the state's accounts. To do so, the state has to adopt compensations.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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