Third protest against World Cup in SP ends with five arrested

14/03/2014 - 13h39

Five people, including a minor, were arrested during the third protest in São Paulo against the World Cup, which took place Thursday night. In the previous demonstration, on March 22, 262 were taken into custody.

The large police presence stood out at the protest, which started at 6 p.m. in the west end neighborhood of Pinheiros at a meeting point known as Largo da Batata.

According to Military Police (MP), 1,700 officers were deployed for the operation. In its most hectic moment, 1,500 protesters took part in the demonstration, also according to the MP.

The first demonstrators to arrive at the meeting point soon encountered the strong police presence. Folha's reporters counted at least 70 MP cars, as well as two buses, 10 vans and 28 motorcycles.

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There were also groups of heavily armed Tactical Force officers. Once again, Folha saw police officers without identification. A detachment of 45 officers wearing darker uniforms was entirely unmarked.

At 7:15 p.m., protesters left Largo da Batata and headed toward Paulista Avenue. On the way, they blocked off Faria Lima and Rebouças Avenues, and chants against the Military Police and the World Cup in Brazil could be heard.

Confusion broke out when a homemade bomb, according to the MP, exploded near MASP. No one was hurt. Panic broke out as police arrived to surround protesters and journalists briefly.

At this time, the windows at Bank of Brazil branch were broken, but there was no confrontation and the protest continued.

Among those arrested at the end of the night were a minor under suspicion of vandalizing Faria Lima metro station and a man who was carrying a slingshot and steel balls.

Both were sent to the 14th precinct (Pinheiros). Another three were arrested on Paulista Avenue and sent to the 78th precinct.

Translated by JILL LANGLOIS

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