Violent Brazil protests
October 29, 2013
Police fired tear gas to quell the demonstration, which started as a peaceful march calling for free public transport for students. A police statement said some of the rioters used firearms during the violence.
The protesters also reportedly burnt at least five commuter buses and three tractor-trailer trucks during the violence, which erupted late on Monday. Police said some groups looted shops and a major highway leading out of the city was blocked.
The protests broke out in response to the police shooting of a 17-year-old youth on Sunday.
Police say the teenager, Douglas Rodrigues, was fatally wounded when a policeman called to check on a disturbance in the northern neighborhood of Vila Medeiros accidentally discharged his weapon. Rodrigues died later in hospital of his wounds.
The city of 20 million has recently seen a series of mass demonstrations, with more than a million people taking to the streets in June to protest about poor social services, corruption and the millions being spent on high-profile sporting events.
Brazil is hosting the World Cup next year and the Summer Olympics in 2016. Sao Paulo is to be the venue of the opening game of the World Cup next June 12.
tj/slk (AFP, AP)