Brazilian Military Police Arrest 230 In Violent World Cup Protests In Sao Paulo

Brazilian police "fired tear gas and arrested hundreds on Saturday as they dispersed a crowd in Sao Paulo that violently protested expenditures for the World Cup," according to the AFP. As of midnight, "military police in Sao Paulo reported 230 arrests in a Twitter message." About 1,000 protesters took to the streets in "what was initially a peaceful expression of anger" over the $11B Brazil is spending to host the World Cup. Protesters then "went on a rampage, smashing bank windows and setting up roadblocks with garbage set on fire." The O Estado de Sao Paulo daily reported that "among those arrested were five journalists." Police said that "at least five police officers and two protesters were injured." Recent protests have "drawn far fewer people than those which marred the Confederations Cup" in '13, but this year's marches have "included a more radical element and raise questions about the police's ability to control violence during the World Cup" (AFP, 2/23).