Nationwide Protests in Brazil Against Pension Reform

[Judi Lynn]

In São Paulo the protest was peaceful but in other cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia, protesters clashed with police.

By Lise Alves - March 16, 2017
By Lise Alves, Senior Contributing Reporter


SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Thousands once again took to the streets in Brazil to protest on Wednesday, this time against the government’s proposed pension reform. In some cities, public transportation came to a halt, leaving millions with no way to go to work.

While in São Paulo the protest was peaceful, in other cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia, protesters clashed with police.

After a tumultuous early morning rush hour, with no public transportation available, thousands gathered on Avenida Paulista in the early afternoon to protest labor and pension reforms proposed by the government. The protest in the largest city in the country was peaceful.

Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva participated in the protest, speaking against the Social Security reform at the end of the rally. According to Lula the current administration wants to end the gains of the working class through labor and welfare reforms.

More:
http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-politics/nationwide-protests-in-brazil-against-pension-reform/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Brazilians protest against reforms to pension system

15 March 2017


Tens of thousands of people have taken part in protests across Brazil against planned reforms to the pension system.

In the capital Brasilia, hundreds occupied the finance ministry, while in Sao Paulo, demonstrators brought traffic to a standstill.

President Michel Temer says capping pension benefits and raising retirement age is needed to fix the country's finances.

Brazil is going through its worst recession in more than a century.


More:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-39287415