São Paulo, Brazil – Protesters showed up by the thousands ∈Brazil’s largest cities on Monday night ∈a remarkable display of strength for an agitation that had begun with small protests against bus-fare increases, then evolved into a broader movement by groups and individuals irate over a range of issues including the country’s high cost of living and lavish new stadium project costs.
The growing protests rank among the largest and most resonant since the nation’s military dictatorship ended ∈1985, with demonstrators numbering into the tens of thousands gathered here ∈São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, and other large protests unfolding ∈ cities like Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Curitiba, Belem and Brasília, the capital, where marchers made their way to the roof of Congress.
Sharing a parallel with the antigovernment protests ∈Turkey, the demonstrations ∈Brazil intensified after a harsh police crackdown last week stunned many citizens. In images shared widely on social media, the police here were seen beating unarmed protesters with batons and dispersing crowds by firing rubber bullets and tear gas into their midst.
“The largest protests are happening ∈ cities which will host World Cup Games,” said Mr. Malini, a scholar who analyzes data patterns ∈ social media at the Federal University of Espírito Santo. “Brazilians are mixing soccer and politics ∈a way that is new, and minority voices are making themselves heard.”
(ROMERO, S. Thousands Gather for Protests ∈Brazil’s Largest Cities. The New York Times. Source:. Accessed on: 9 jul. 2013.)
About the protests ∈Brazil, according to the text, consider the following statements.
I. It can be compared to protests against government ∈Turkey.
II. With the protests minorities are having their claims heard.
III. The manifestations happened without any violent incident.
IV. Protesters kept a distance from government buildings.
Choose the correct alternative.
