34 arrested for World Cup protests

Sao Paulo, June 18 (IANS/EFE) Thirty-four people were arrested in Brazil for taking part in the protests that took place in several cities around the country, including Fortaleza and Rio de Janeiro, on the sixth day of the World Cup football.

Protestors have been demanding end to police violence and free public bus tickets. and also expressed their anger at FIFA for the tournament that cost Brazil $11 billion, reports EFE.

In Fortaleza, where Brazil and Mexico played out a barren draw, authorities arrested 30 people in the vicinity of Arena Castelao Stadium. Security sources said that some protestors threw stones at a bus endorsing FIFA and police responded by firing tear gas.

In Rio de Janeiro, four people were arrested in a demonstration downtown, where they demanded the introduction of free public transportation, after the fares of public buses was hiked.

In Belo Horizonte, where Belgium defeated Algeria 2-1, about 200 people protested, without any clashes or arrests. and here in Sao Paulo, riots occurred at Fan Fest - an area allocated by FIFA for the celebration of the fans - when a group of fans tried to enter by force, leading to clashes with security forces.

Demonstrators have been protesting the excessive spending by the government to host the World Cup, while other sectors in the country are still in need, such as finance, infrastructure transportations, medical care and public services.

--IANS/EFE

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