BRAZIL: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Police strike in Rio de Janeiro just weeks ahead of World Cup

Record ID: 341733

  • Title: BRAZIL: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Police strike in Rio de Janeiro just weeks ahead of World Cup
  • Date: 21st May 2014
  • Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (MAY 21, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF THE CIVIL POLICE HEADQUARTERS PERSON ENTERING CIVIL POLICE HEADQUARTERS VARIOUS OF A SIGN FROM THE CIVIL POLICE UNION READING, 'PEZAO (GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF RIO DE JANEIRO), THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT, AVOID A POLICE STRIKE' DECAL ON A PATROL CAR A PARKED PATROL CAR ENTRANCE TO A POLICE STATION PEOPLE I
  • Embargoed: 5th June 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA26HWZG2QV076WYP0GNYFWDW4H
  • Story Text: Civil police in the state of Rio de Janeiro began a 24-hour strike on Wednesday (May 21), just weeks away from the start of the World Cup.
    The strike raised concern of lawlessness in the city of Rio de Janeiro, but the atmosphere remained relatively normal Wednesday morning.
    The Civil Police Union, known as Sinpol, said about 40 percent of civil police officers were on duty Wednesday concentrated in vital areas and responding to the most urgent matters
    Police stations visited by Reuters were open and operating.
    The strike in Rio coincided with several other civil police strikes in different parts of the country.
    The police units are calling for a salary and bonus adjustments, safety measures and infrastructure concerns along with other work related issues.
    Other factions including public transportation workers, teachers and the military police have called strikes throughout Brazil in recent weeks as the country prepares to host the 2014 World Cup.
    Brazil is bracing for possible widespread demonstrations and civil unrest when the tournament begins on June 12.
    During last year's warm-up Confederations Cup millions took to the streets to denounce corruption and call for more spending on public services including healthcare and education.
    Many think the platform of the larger World Cup will rekindle the protest movement.
    "I think this movement is part of the changes in the country. The country is going through these changes. There are things that are wrong here. Lots of things are wrong and the leaders have to wake up and pay attention to this. And a strike is a way to say, 'we're tired of you stealing you need to go to work and govern our country," a 36-year-old office worker, Vania Barbosa said.
    The civil police have planned a demonstration in downtown Rio for later in the morning, but it appeared to be business as usual in the city despite fears of an uptick in crime.
    "I was worried, now I am not worried after seeing the news. And there are people in the police stations. There is nothing to worry about. I believe in the people," Mario Arthur, a 50-year-old electrician said.
    The state has close to 11 million civil police in addition to the military police and the pacification police units.
    The World Cup will kick off in Sao Paulo on June 12 with the final being played in Rio on July 13.
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