BRAZIL: Rio and Sao Paulo clean up a day after violent protests over the issue of education, amid a deadlocked teachers' strike

Record ID: 341206

  • Title: BRAZIL: Rio and Sao Paulo clean up a day after violent protests over the issue of education, amid a deadlocked teachers' strike
  • Date: 8th October 2013
  • Summary: CLOSE-UP OF NEWSPAPER HEADLINE READING IN PORTUGUESE: "PROTESTS IN SAO PAULO AND RIO TURN TO VANDALISM AND CONFRONTATION"
  • Embargoed: 23rd October 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Education,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA1AIPM2F3GVI9KLN08OGZ2I11Q
  • Story Text: Brazil's two largest cities woke up on Tuesday (October 8) after another night of clashes over demands by teachers for pay raises.
    The teachers, all from public schools, in Rio have been on strike since August 8 to demand higher salaries and better working conditions.
    The clashes broke out in Rio de Janeiro on Monday (October 7) night as striking teachers and their supporters took to the streets.
    According to police, some ten thousand protesters filled the streets. But the teachers' union put the crowd at some fifty thousand.
    Workers on Tuesday were drafted in to remove graffiti from buildings damaged in the violence.
    Human Resources specialist, Paulo Maia, said he supported the teachers' cause.

    "I know that, truthfully, the destruction and vandalism isn't something that we want. But if you don't bring it to this point you won't have the media, you won't generate debate, and it won't get to the City Council or the Chamber of Deputies," Maia said.
    At least 15 protesters were arrested in Rio during the protest.
    Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, was also hit with protests on Monday night.
    Retiree Manuel Moran said he supported the education protests.

    "Brazil doesn't deserve this type of attitude. I am in favour though of the protest. I think that there is a necessity to have protesting, because there is complacency. The politicians are very complacent," Moran said.
    In Sao Paulo, at least eight people were injured and 14 arrested. Six of the injured were police.
    Joaquim dos Santos, a goldsmith, said the protests had been overshadowed by the violent incidents.

    "They (teachers) are there not to make a mess, They are pursuing things important to them. There are always certain vandals that try to distort everything," Santos said.
    These incidents in Sao Paulo and Rio come one week after a similar teacher demonstration in Rio also descended into chaos and clashes.
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