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Mass anti-govt. protests held in Brazil

Monday, 13 April 2015 8:16 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 13 April 2015 8:15 PM ]

Mass anti-govt. protests held in brazil

Ben Tavener
Press TV, Sao Paulo

Hundreds of thousands of Brazilian have taken part in fresh nationwide protests against President Dilma Rousseff and her government. Big crowds in patriotic greens and yellows again are calling for the president to be impeached, and for the ruling coalition to be removed from power.

Anti-government protests have been called in over 400 cities right across the country. Many are calling for President Rousseff’s impeachment, and they aren’t alone: according to a recent poll, nearly two-thirds of Brazilians are now in favor of starting proceedings to remove her from office.

Sao Paulo again saw the biggest protest, with some estimating as many as 40,000* people took part in the event on the city’s central Paulista Avenue. Across Brazil, police estimate at least 250,000* people took part in around 20 states.
Many point to corruption and Brazil’s slowing economy as their main reason for coming to the streets.

Some say there is mounting evidence that President Rousseff was aware of the corruption taking place — claims she denies. Prosecutors have also said there are no grounds for her investigation.

Some protesters said impeachment isn't an option, but that they want to show their displeasure nonetheless.
The government has said it is both listening and actively fighting corruption.

Smaller groups have recently also been taking to the protests to defend the president, but both sides are losing momentum. Just how long they’re prepared to keep coming to the streets is still to be seen.

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