After millions of angry Brazilians took to the streets in an unprecedented outburst of popular indignation in 2013, the situation never really quieted down again in the Latin American giant.

The initial protests, organized by the Movimento Passe Livre (Free Fare Movement), were directed against a rise in bus fare hikes. But over the course of the past two and a half years, protests against 2013 Confederations Cup, the 2014 World Cup, the Roussef government and corruption, as well as protests against the 2016 Rio Olympics all combined, mixed and mingled in one big carnival of widespread popular outrage.

In the past few days, the MPL has once again staged a number of protests, leading to violent clashes with the police and dozens of arrests. Around 25 people are reported to have been hospitalized. The New York Times writes:

Protesters gathered on Avenida Paulista, one of the city’s main thoroughfares. The group Movimento Passe Livre organized Tuesday’s protests. It was also a catalyst for the 2013 protests that gripped the nation. Protesters held signs that said “3.80 Não Pago,” or “I won’t pay 3.80,” which is the new fare, up from 3.50 reals, or about 86 cents.

The video below shows the violent police crackdown on the protesters. The police supposedly kettled the march after which an all-out attack was launched that left many people injured.

Joris Leverink is an Istanbul-based political analyst, freelance writer and activist. He is an editor for ROAR Magazine, columnist for teleSUR English and Turkey-contributor for the IPS news agency. He blogs at Deciphering Disorder.


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