Brazil: unions strike as political crisis deepens
- 7 years ago
What began as a peaceful protest soon turned violent as activists in Brazil clashed with police on Friday during a nationwide strike and demonstration against scandal-hit President Michel Temer.
Security forces launched tear gas at protesters in Rio de Janeiro who hit back with fireworks.
Unions are seeking to stop Temer’s unpopular administration from pushing a series of changes to labour and pension laws through Congress.
One street vendor in Rio said: “I am selling less and less popcorn. Since Temer came in, things are getting worse.”
Unions also took to the streets of Sao Paulo, bringing the mega-city to a standstill.
Temer, whose embattled government has an approval rating in single digits, has resisted repeated calls to go, despite being accused of taking bribes.
Earlier this week prosecutors charged him with corruption.
Security forces launched tear gas at protesters in Rio de Janeiro who hit back with fireworks.
Unions are seeking to stop Temer’s unpopular administration from pushing a series of changes to labour and pension laws through Congress.
One street vendor in Rio said: “I am selling less and less popcorn. Since Temer came in, things are getting worse.”
Unions also took to the streets of Sao Paulo, bringing the mega-city to a standstill.
Temer, whose embattled government has an approval rating in single digits, has resisted repeated calls to go, despite being accused of taking bribes.
Earlier this week prosecutors charged him with corruption.