Thousands gathered across Brazil on Thursday, some throwing torches and debris, to demonstrate against police corruption, high crime, low wages, and lack of social services. At least one protester was killed after being hit by a car. NBC's Mark Potter reports.
A teenager died as more than a million people took to the streets late Thursday in Brazil's biggest protests for two decades.
The 18-year-old man was killed when a Jeep smashed through a barricade in the small city of Ribeirao in the state of Sao Paolo during latest wave of anti-government rallies.
Christophe Simon / AFP - Getty Images
A demonstrator is shot by rubber bullets as anti-riot police officers charge after clashes during a protest against corruption and price hikes on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro.
The male driver fled the scene before police could catch up with him, local press sources reported.
The demonstrations began more than a week ago over high transport fares, but they have broadened out to highlight corruption and the cost of next year's soccer World Cup.
While they have remained largely peaceful, some 30 people have been injured and last night NBC News teams witnessed riot police firing tear gas at groups of protesters.
TV images also showed looting in Rio de Janeiro, where police sealed off government buildings including the state legislature and the governor's office.
In the country's capital, Brasilia, The Associated Press reported police struggled to keep hundreds of protesters from invading the foreign ministry. Protesters lit a small fire outside the building.
Other government buildings were also attacked around the city and protesters claimed rubber bullets had been fired.
There were also clashes outside a soccer stadium in the city of Salvador, ahead of the Confederations Cup soccer game between Nigeria and Uruguay.
Nelson Antoine / AP
A hike in bus fares sparked protests expressing anger over government spending at the perceived expense of social programs.
Demonstrators there complained about the $26 million of public money that will be spent on the 2014 soccer World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
Despite the government backtracking on the bus fares, the targets of protests now in their second week have begun to include high taxes, inflation and poor public services.
Caught off guard by the swelling tide of protests, Reuters reported that President Dilma Rousseff has canceled a trip to Japan next week.
An emergency meeting is also planned for today.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A YouTube video captures a moment of peace amidst chaos during the Brazil protests when police join demonstrators and sit down in a Sao Paolo street. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.
Related:
- PhotoBlog: Protesters try to overturn bus as demonstrations continue
- Brazil officials reverse subway, bus fare hike
- Brazil's president salutes Brazil protests, cities cut bus fares
This story was originally published on Fri Jun 21, 2013 5:18 AM EDT
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