Brazil protests and the president likes it. Over 200,000 people took to the streets nationwide. They called for an end to corruption and mismanagement, criticized the excessive cost of the world cup and demanded more money for education and health. There were also riots, but most of the protests remained peaceful, partly because the police showed restraint this time. Head of state dilma rousseff had already made it clear during the night: peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy.
The pictures from the night were symbolic. In the capital, brasilia, hundreds of demonstrators danced and celebrated on the roof of the national congress in brasilia, which is world-famous for its architecture. "Uh, ah – the congress is ours", shouted the young people. They waved national flags, sang songs and raised their fists in the air.
Head of state rousseff, who was in resistance during brazil’s dictatorship period (1964-1985), defended the right to peaceful protest. "Brazil woke up stronger today. The crudeness of the demonstrations of yesterday (monday) have proven the energy of our democracy", she said the day after. It was good to see so many young people and adults defending a better brazil, holding brazil’s flag and singing the national anthem. Your government heard this voice calling for change.