World Cup protests continue in Brazil, snarl Rio traffic (PHOTOS)
Published time: May 31, 2014 02:39
Edited time: May 31, 2014 03:47
Members
of the anarchist group Black Bloc protest against the FIFA World Cup in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 30, 2014. (AFP Photo/YASUYOSHI CHIBA)
Several demonstrations aimed at Brazil’s upcoming
World Cup tournament took place in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, snarling
traffic towards the city center.
At least two distinct
protests gathered in Rio, organized mainly through online social
networks, O Globo reported.
As with previous unrest in the country, many of those who showed
up to Friday's events covered their faces with masks and wore
dark clothing, holding signs with slogans such as
“We want
schools, subways, trains, buses, and standard hospitals
FIFA.” A large group of teachers was said to have taken part
in Friday’s mobilization.
A
man fancy-dressed as American comic hero Batman shouts slogans during a
protest by anarchist group Black Bloc against the FIFA World Cup in Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 30, 2014 (AFP Photo/YASUYOSHI CHIBA)
Members
of the anarchist group Black Bloc protest against the FIFA World Cup
during their demonstration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 30, 2014.
(AFP Photo/YASUYOSHI CHIBA)
The Latin American country has seen its share of riled
demonstrators in the run-up to the World Cup. Protestors have
come to link the exorbitant sums spent in preparation for the
football tournament as a symptom of government corruption and
ineptitude.
Many Brazilians feel that funds which have gone towards World Cup
preparations should have been invested into transportation
infrastructure and government services, chiefly education and
healthcare.
Likewise, protesters have often specifically attacked FIFA, the
international football federation, and even the group’s
leadership and football players for what they say is the
organization’s complicity with the country’s government.
Beyond the demonstrations, preparations for the world sporting
event have run into a number of setbacks. FIFA secretary general
Jerome Valcke expressed concern on Thursday regarding the state
of three of the twelve massive stadiums that have been built or
refurbished for the event, capping off a two-week trip by warning
organizers in Natal, Porto Alegre, and Sao Paulo - which will
host the first match in two weeks - that it is now a
“race against the clock.”
Members
of the anarchist group Black Bloc protest against the FIFA World Cup in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 30, 2014. (AFP Photo/YASUYOSHI CHIBA)
Members
of the anarchist group Black Bloc protest against the FIFA World Cup in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 30, 2014. (AFP Photo/YASUYOSHI CHIBA)