Protests rock Brazil as looming pension reform sparks anger (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)
Demonstrations rolled through Brazil on Friday, triggered by President Michel Temer’s austerity policy and looming pension reforms. In several cities, protesters faced off with police, who deployed tear gas and rubber bullets.
Labor unions called the demonstrations on Friday, demanding that the authorities roll back the social security and welfare reforms initiated by Temer, local media reported.
The protests shut down subway and bus services. Highways were also blocked, causing major traffic delays in Brasil, Sao Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro.
@OperacoesRio@g1@RedeGlobo Polícias militares liberaram a linha vermelha com bombas de gás lacrimogêneo nos manifestantes. pic.twitter.com/eWsyxxiXwV
— Walnir Oliano - WAL (@walniroliano) June 30, 2017
In Sao Paulo, protests blocked some of the city’s main roads and highways and hindered access to Guarulhos Airport, the nation’s biggest.
In Rio De Janeiro, the protest proceeded peacefully before scuffles broke out between a group of masked protesters and police, Globo reports. The rioters reportedly used smoke bombs, and police responded with tear gas. The demonstration in Rio gathered some 6,000 people, according to AP estimates.
Br 101 conhecida como Niterói-Manilha no Rio de Janeiro bloqueada essa manhã.
— Mídia NINJA (@MidiaNINJA) June 30, 2017
Foto: Mídia NINJA #GrevePorDireitospic.twitter.com/yEoNUlVrBw
“Brazilians are happy even when protesting, but the moment will come when we’ll have to hit harder, with more violence, against those thieves that govern us,” 70-year-old Ivete Franca, a retired history professor, said, as cited by AP.
A doll depicting Rio’s governor, Temer supporter Luiz Fernando Pezao, was burned in the city’s Candelaria neighborhood as protesters called him a thief.
Caminhada de movimentos populares nas ruas centrais de Passo Fundo. #GreveGeral#GrevePorDireitos#ForaTemerpic.twitter.com/gSmOwujbMU
— Dep. Edegar Pretto (@EdegarPretto) June 30, 2017
“We must defeat the labor and pension reforms because it is the return of slavery, and you’ll have to work until you’re 100, 200 years old,” said Iran de Paula, a lawyer who joined the Movement for Roofless Workers, as cited by AP.
Rio: Policiais militares dispersam com bombas e com a cavalaria os manifestantes no Centro do Rio no protesto contra o governo Temer. pic.twitter.com/Nxgne8Sicp
— The Intercept Brasil (@TheInterceptBr) June 30, 2017
A number of smaller Brazilian cities followed suit. Protests disrupted public transportation in the cities of Goiania, Aracaju, Florianopolis, and Porto Alegre.
#GrevePorDireitos
— MST Oficial (@MST_Oficial) June 30, 2017
Em Vitória, Espírito Santo, trabalhadores Sem Terra marcham pela BR por #DiretasJa! e pelo #ForaTemer. pic.twitter.com/eANoMR6L1M
In Belo Horizonte, activists pelted Health Minister Ricardo Barros with eggs, local media reported, adding that four people were arrested following the incident. In Recife, protesters set fire to tires.
Para barrar as reformas da Previdência e Trabalhista o povo está parando o Brasil, como na BR 386 em Nova Santa Rita. #ForaTemer#DiretasJápic.twitter.com/pCDcrJiISo
— Dep. Edegar Pretto (@EdegarPretto) June 30, 2017
Police deployed rubber bullets and pepper spray against protesters in Fortaleza, while detaining at least two people, local media reported.
#GreveGeral Grupo de manifestantes realiza protesto na Avenida Cruz Cabugá, no cruzamento com a Avenida Norte, Centro do Recife. pic.twitter.com/wSQdPBwTmQ
— Portal NE10 (@portalne10) June 30, 2017
Several activists were reportedly arrested in Santa Catarina, where police also resorted to unleashing rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the gathering.
#GreveGeral#BHpic.twitter.com/p7UZ04sTtR
— Reginaldo Silva (@ReginaldoS13) June 30, 2017
The protesters have been demonstrating against pension reforms proposed by Temer’s government that could reduce their retirement benefits. The reforms would also introduce a minimum retirement age, which Brazil currently does not have, setting it at 65. At present, public-sector employees work to the age of 54 on average.
#GrevePorDireitos
— MST Oficial (@MST_Oficial) June 30, 2017
Em Vitória, Espírito Santo, trabalhadores Sem Terra marcham pela BR por #DiretasJa! e pelo #ForaTemer. pic.twitter.com/eANoMR6L1M
Avenida Guararapes completamente parada por causa da #grevegeral. Ônibus estacionados no meio da rua pic.twitter.com/AlUtHpcD6H
— Jornal do Commercio (@jc_pe) June 30, 2017
READ MORE: Brazilian President Temer charged with multi-million-dollar bribery
Br 101 conhecida como Niterói-Manilha no Rio de Janeiro bloqueada essa manhã.
— Mídia NINJA (@MidiaNINJA) June 30, 2017
Foto: Mídia NINJA #GrevePorDireitospic.twitter.com/yEoNUlVrBw
Para barrar as reformas da Previdência e Trabalhista o povo está parando o Brasil, como na BR 386 em Nova Santa Rita. #ForaTemer#DiretasJápic.twitter.com/pCDcrJiISo
— Dep. Edegar Pretto (@EdegarPretto) June 30, 2017
#GreveGeral Grupo de manifestantes realiza protesto na Avenida Cruz Cabugá, no cruzamento com a Avenida Norte, Centro do Recife. pic.twitter.com/wSQdPBwTmQ
— Portal NE10 (@portalne10) June 30, 2017
Paralisação nas avenidas Tancredo Neves e Antonio Carlos Magalhães, na região do Iguatemi em Salvador!#GrevePorDireitospic.twitter.com/CH2uUrG2Ef
— Mídia NINJA (@MidiaNINJA) June 30, 2017
🎶O Recife acordou
— BRAndrea (@MBRAndrea) June 30, 2017
Deu bom-dia
Encontrou com o povo
Nas ruas, nas pontes...🎵#GrevePorDireitospic.twitter.com/WHKcYizfBU
📣 *#GrevePorDireitos* 📣
— MST Oficial (@MST_Oficial) June 30, 2017
A Ponte Interestadual Presidente Dutra, que liga Juazeiro a Petrolina, foi trancada por trabalhadoras/es. pic.twitter.com/HbMN2yU3YN
Durante protesto no centro de SP, policiais militares detiveram sem motivo duas mulheres que estavam numa padaria. pic.twitter.com/CZcoaa2zEU
— Ponte Jornalismo (@pontejornalismo) June 30, 2017
READ MORE: Thousands rally across Brazil as pressure builds on Temer to step down (VIDEO)
In Florianopolis, Brazil, transportation unions on strike for several hours today #GreveGeral30pic.twitter.com/AIZLv1RhZu
— Michael Fox (@mfox_us) June 30, 2017
Estação Praça do Relógio, em Taguatinga, está totalmente fechada. Metroviários do DF aderiram à #GreveGeralpic.twitter.com/1HzBBxh0A3
— Erika Kokay (@erikakokay) June 30, 2017