Thousands of protesters march toward Maracanã Stadium Confederations Cup

Criado em 30/06/13 15h35 e atualizado em 30/06/13 15h47
Por Flávia Villela Edição:Graça Adjuto / Nira Foster Fonte:Agencia Brasil

Rio de Janeiro – Thousands of people are marching toward the Maracanã stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, where the final match of the Confederations Cup – Brazil vs Spain – will start at 7pm today. Carrying banners and posters demanding that the government spend more on public healthcare and education, demonstrators are calling on local residents to join the protests. As they march they chant slogans and invective against public expenditures on soccer stadiums and the way the government carried out forced evictions to make room for some of the construction in preparation for the 2014 World Soccer Cup.

Hundreds of policemen and local municipal guards are monitoring the protest march. So far, the demonstration is reported to be peaceful. However, law enforcement officials have closed off a total of sixteen streets in the area immediately surrounding the stadium.

The march was called for by an organization called World Cup and Olympics People's Committee (“Comitê Popular da Copa e das Olimpíadas”), an activist network opposed to home evictions in Rio de Janeiro. In a statement, the group emphasized that the rally is peaceful and said that they expect the security forces will not block protesters from the immediate area around the stadium. Spokespersons for the committee report that demonstrators have been instructed not to try to break through any police cordons.

Edition: Graça Adjuto / Nira Foster
Translation: Mayra Borges / Allen Bennett