Protests in Brazil are dominating the news agenda worldwide at the moment and if anyone was unaware of just how big a deal they have become, then pictures like this one will leave them in no doubt.
What started as a protest against rising bus fares in the country has elevated to nationwide anger towards the government over issues such as taxes, corruption, the education system and overspending on next summer’s World Cup. Estimates suggest that as many as two million people took to the streets of several different cities last night to vent their anger in protests that were, for the most part, peaceful, but got out of hand in some places.
It is believed that one person died and dozens more were injured as police fought back against a minority of protesters throwing rocks and torching cars and responded with pepper spray and rubber bullets in scenes that don’t cast a great light on a country that will host one of the biggest sporting events in the world next year.
The scale of the protest was captured in an astounding picture taken from above Rio de Janeiro after nightfall hit last night of crowds which seem to stretch for miles down the city’s streets. Crazy.
Astounding picture of Rio protest tonight! pic.twitter.com/BuMIIjgmYz
— Tom McGurk (@TomMcGurk) June 20, 2013
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