Protest in São Paulo: Luxury Cars and Banks Vandalized

06/20/2014 - 09h55

A protest organized by the MPL (Free Pass Movement) ended with at least five bank branches, two luxury dealerships and one vehicle of "TV Gazeta" vandalized on Thursday (19) in São Paulo.

The demonstration brought 1,300 people together, according to Military Police.

Protesters demanded zero cost on public transportation and remembered it was the anniversary from last year's fare increase reversal after protests on June 2013.

The MPL, hoping to gather 5,000 people, also called for the readmission of the 42 subway workers dismissed during the strike earlier this month.

Protesters wore costumes mocking Governor Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB) and Mayor Fernando Haddad (PT).

Among them, there were also Indians armed with bows and arrows claiming for land demarcation.

Masked protesters vandalized at least four bank branches in the region, according to police, they broke car windows of a vehicle from TV Gazeta and sprayed graffiti all over.

The riot stopped at the request of activists from the MPL, which followed the protest to Marginal Pinheiros, where they blocked the road towards Castello Branco.

At the site, the demonstration transformed into what is called a "big popular party", with all that it entitles: an audio car, flags and cardboard turnstiles, which were burned.

During the walk, the masked supporters adepts of the "black bloc" tactic continued the riot.

"Black blocs" raided two luxury dealerships and vandalized vehicles. In one of the stores, at least ten imported cars were destroyed - in all, they were being resold for US$ 760,000. The most expensive model, a Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG, costs US$ 270,000.

Riot police used tear gas bomb against protesters, who scattered in small groups.

Running away, "black blocs" barricaded the streets, to prevent police from moving forward and scattered in the Vila Madalena neighborhood, filled with World Cup fans.

Lucas Monteiro, 29, a MPL member, said the demonstration ended before planned and that the group is not responsible for vandalism acts.

"We do not choose those participating in our demonstrations. I can only say that it was not the MPL that started [the destruction] and we could not even finish our protest, because when we got near Largo da Batata we were hit by gas bombs from the police," he said.

Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI

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