RIO DE JANEIRO--Several thousand people marched in Sao Paulo and Rio on Friday against the latest round of transport fare hikes, some 18 months after the issue sparked unprecedented mass protests in June 2013, police said.
Around 2,000 people converged in central Rio -- including a number of masked anarchists known as Black Blocs. Some held banners reading "if prices don't fall, Rio will grind to a halt."
Bus fares went up last Saturday in Rio, the former capital, from 3.0 to 3.40 reais, with the new price equal to about $4. The 13 percent rise is almost exactly double the current rate of inflation.
The Rio state prosecutor sought in court to overturn the rise, saying prices should be pegged at 3.20 reais, but the attempt failed.
Some of those at the rally, supporters of hard left party PSOL (Socialism and Freedom), held up "I am Charlie" banners in solidarity with those slain in Wednesday's terror attack on French satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo.
Sao Paulo also saw some 2,000 protesters from the "Free Pass" movement, which sparked the 2013 protests that spread nationwide, take to the streets of Brazil's business hub.
Organizers said thousands more were expected to converge on the city center, heading for the main Paulista drag.
An AFP reporter described the atmosphere in Sao Paulo as good natured, although some 800 police were on hand and web news portal G1 indicated around 40 Black Blocs had infiltrated the gathering.
Globo News showed police using tear gas to disperse the group.
Some Sao Paulo marchers carried banners reading "no to the increases" and also demanded the reinstatement of metro workers sacked during a recent strike.
AFP
