Brazil's left and right struggle for ownership of protests

[pampango]

Rival groups split on the political direction of the protests, with claims two organisations back military rule]

Rival organisations behind Brazil's huge street demonstrations are struggling for control amid conflicting views about the political direction the movement should take. Some would like a stronger focus on inequality and improving conditions in favelas. Others are pushing for tax cuts and a crackdown on corrupt officials.

With further action planned for Wednesday evening, the leftwing groups who initiated the marches suspect opposition parties are trying to hijack the protests and use them as a platform to challenge president Dilma Rousseff's government before next year's presidential election.

In online chat rooms and microblogs, there is speculation that police are using agents provocateurs to stir up violence and pave the way for a coup. Evidence for that is scant, but differences have become more apparent. Groups such as Anonymous are calling for a period of reflection, and arranged workshops and public meetings in Rio this week to discuss where to go next.

But several organisations that are closer to the right pressed ahead with smaller gatherings on Monday and urged more on Thursday. Two of them, Organisation Opposed to Corruption and Online Revolution, advocate the return of militarism, according to an article on the Estado de São Paulo website. This followed tension in São Paulo during last Thursday's march when some groups burned the flags of the Workers Party.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/26/brazil-protests