Protests Break Out In Sao Paulo, Rio Amid World Cup Opening

Protests “erupted on the streets” of Sao Paulo prior to today’s Croatia-Brazil match to kick off the FIFA World Cup. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets near the Itaquerão stadium to disperse the crowd. Several protesters and journalists were “injured in the tumult,” including CNN producer Barbara Arvanitidis. Another small protest against the World Cup unfolded in Rio de Janeiro, “with the police dispersing hundreds of protesters by firing rubber bullets” (NYTIMES.com, 6/12).

Meanwhile, the condition of Itaquerão was "vastly improved from a day earlier, with most signs of construction gone." The plywood boards that "littered the first-floor concourse were gone, as well as the big pallets" that were outside the suites entrance (USATODAY.com, 6/12).