Sao Paulo police in Brazil have been accused by protesters of being heavy handed in breaking up a demonstration against a hike in public transport
Sao Paulo police in Brazil have been accused by protesters of being heavy handed in breaking up a demonstration against a hike in public transport fares. Tear gas and stun grenades were used although the police claim they came under attack.
Many Sao Paulo residents have been angered by the increase in public transport prices, with inflation in Brazil already running at more than 10 percent.
More than 1.5 million Brazilian’s lost their jobs last year as Latin America’s largest economy fell deeper into its worst recession in more than 25 years.
The scenes evoked protests that swept Brazil in 2013, sparked by anger over bus fare increases during public spending on the FIFA World Cup, that brought hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets.
The latest demonstrations come as left-leaning President Dilma Rousseff, whose popularity has been crushed by the recession and a sweeping anti-corruption investigation that has ensnared her ruling coalition, faces impeachment proceedings in Congress.
Some political analysts say the mood on the streets toward her government could play an important role in determining the outcome of the impeachment process.