Baku-APA. Clashes have erupted between Brazilian police and protesters in Sao Paulo, where the 2014 World Cup is underway, APA reports quoting Press TV.
The violence broke out on Thursday after thousands of people gave a positive response to a call from the Free Fare Movement, which seeks free public transportation for all. The protesters reportedly vandalized cars and banks, and police responded with tear gas.
The protest was held on the first anniversary of people’s successful attempt to prevent a rise in public bus and subway fares.
"This protest today isn't against the World Cup but more of a commemoration of what happened a year ago," a protester said, adding, "We took to the streets today to show that we were victorious a year ago but also to reinforce that our goal is free transportation for all."
On Wednesday, demonstrators took to the streets in the city of Porto Alegre to protest against rising public costs of the FIFA World Cup in the country. The protesters shouted slogans against the government's spending for the games.
Brazil has seen months of similar protests over the $11 billion expense of the sports event.
The protests, which have sometimes been accompanied by union strikes, have been described as the largest seen in the country for more than 20 years.
A rising rate of inflation and a sluggish economy have tarnished the World Cup glow in Brazil, which is the biggest country with the largest economy in Latin America. In 2012, the World Bank said that nearly 16 percent of the country’s population of 200 million lived below the poverty line.
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