4 weeks before World Cup: Strikes, protests in Brazil

Brazil faced a test of its security preparations for the World Cup on May 15, as demonstrators aghast at the cost of the event joined protests and strikes in several major cities. Brazil has spent more than $11 billion to organize the World Cup, money protesters say could have been better spent on areas such as transport, education, housing and health care. Ongoing work stoppages by police and teachers and the threat of a nationwide strike by federal police also raised fears of chaos with just four weeks to go before the Cup kicks off. Although most demonstrations were peaceful, police used teargas against group of masked demonstrators in Sao Paulo as tensions rose there around Friday morning, May 16 (Manila time).

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