Millions Take To Streets In Brazil Protests

Millions took to the streets in several cities in Brazil to protest police corruption, low wages, crime, and the lack of social services on Thursday.

At least one person was killed in the clashes, according to reporting from NBC News.

An 18-year-old man was killed when his Jeep crashed into a barricade in the city of Ribeirao located in the State of Sao Paulo.

The anti-government protests have sparked all over the country after it was announced last week that public bus fares were going to be raised. Now the masses are complaining about other issues.

According to the chants that were heard from reporters at the different scenes, the protesters were heard saying:

“Stop corruption. Change Brazil”; “Halt evictions”, “Come to the street. It’s the only place we don’t pay taxes”, “Government failure to understand education will lead to revolution”.

President Dilma Rousseff is holding an emergency meeting with some of her key cabinet on Friday following the clashes with millions of protesters.

Police was forced to use grenades and teargas as riot in an attempt to disperse the crowds in some instances.

Brazil is hosting one the largest sporting events in the world next year when they welcome soccer teams to compete in the World Cup, which is costing exorbitant amounts of money.

This is a topic that adds fuel to the fire in the minds of those taking to the streets to voice their displeasure with the current economic and social conditions in the South American country.

The protests have been mostly peaceful, but, as is often the case, some clashes have occurred. There have been at least 30 injured and one dead.

Reports indicated that there was also some looting going on in one of the largest cities, Rio de Janeiro.

The hike in bus fares is what sparked the public’s anger, but these new grievances brought millions to the streets of Brazil voicing their discontent with other areas of the government.

[Image via CNN]