FSP-Microcosm News-Global Community Report: 'Day of Struggle': Police violently disperse workers' strike in Brazil

Friday, July 12, 2013

'Day of Struggle': Police violently disperse workers' strike in Brazil

Published on Jul 12, 2013

Riot police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse masked protesters in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, as demonstrations continued throughout Brazil. Unions are demanding better work conditions and tougher government measures to tackle inflation. Tens of thousands of union members marched throughout the country, blocking roads and grinding traffic to a crawl in dozens of cities.

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Thousands on streets in Brazil protests

Violence erupts at Rio demonstrations after unions try to spark national strike over employment laws, health and education

Dom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 11 July 2013 22.07 EDT

Riot police tackle a protester during clashes in Rio that marred a plan peaceful day of action by unions. Photograph: Tasso Marcelo /AFP/Getty

Violence broke out in central Rio de Janeiro at rush hour following a march by trade unionists estimated at up to 20,000 people. The protest was part of a union-organised national day of action in which demonstrations were held and roads blocked in all 27 Brazilian states.
Police used teargas and stun bombs on demonstrators in central Rio. Protests were intended to be peaceful but one flashpoint erupted after the discovery of a cardboard box full of homemade molotov cocktails made of beer bottles as the march reached the central Floriano Square.
As a demonstrator smashed the molotov cocktails underfoot police began firing teargas – and panic and violence rapidly ensued. A group of masked protesters threw rocks and fireworks at police while others wrapped scarves around their faces as gas filled the air. In the middle of running battles a soundtrack continued playing the national anthem while a speaker urged calm.
Piles of rubbish and a street stall were set on fire. As riot police regrouped on the steps of the Municipal Theatre a small boy passed out from teargas and was helped by volunteer medics who formed a circle around him. A smaller group of demonstrators then headed to the state government headquarters in Laranjeiras where teargas was also used by police.
Brazilian media blamed anarchist groups for starting trouble – a minority of demonstrators wore anarchist insignia and carried gas masks. But there was also suspicion that the discovery of the molotov cocktails near press and TV crews meant they could have been planted. "There are excesses on both sides," said João Medeiros, one of a group of lawyers from the Brazilian Bar Association volunteering to help arrested demonstrators. "With the teargas bombs, the way police arrive and push people back, we are all victims." Ten people were arrested and one policeman injured, Brazilian media said.

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Brazil's Major Unions Join Movement for First Time, Strike in 150 Cities

TheRealNews

Published on Jul 12, 2013

Brazilian workers strike across the country in "Day of Social Struggle' demanding specific reforms. ***************************************************************