Brazilians hold anti-government protests

Brazilians took to the street across the country on Sunday to voice their discontent with the country’s current social and economic situations.

The anti-government protests took place in 240 cities, where demonstrators flocked to streets, holding banners and Brazilian national flags to express their dissatisfaction with a series of socioeconomic problems plaguing the country.

This was the third round of nationwide protests against the government in Brazil this year.

In Brazil’s largest city Sao Paulo, people started to gather at the Paulista Avenue, the city’s financial and cultural center, in the morning.

“I’ve participated in all the three rounds of nationwide protests this year. I think I should use the right we Brazilians are endowed with to accuse the current corruption case with Petrobras. Now we are standing under the national flag of Brazil and we hope what we are concerned about will be honored,” said protester Luiz Aguilar.

The protesters also expressed their discontent with the high unemployment rate and inflation.

“Now we are gathering at this thoroughfare for demonstration, for our ‘carnival.’ We are here to voice against the high unemployment rate. Many of my friends and family members have been laid off. The unemployment is really grave right now,” said protester Denize.

The corruption case with Brazil’s stated-own oil company Petrobras is under investigation, which has involved many enterprises in the country, including the leading construction firm Odebrecht. And Brazilian prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva over alleged influence peddling for Oderbrecht.

“I think the corruption case with Petrobras has profound social impact. The money should have been put into better development of our society,” said protester Rodrigo.

“We got here in the morning to prepare for the demonstration. I think it marked a progress since every demonstration can arouse social attention, which will grow every time we do it,” Rodrigo added.

In Rio de Janeiro, the protests forced an Olympic clycling test event to go ahead of schedule and change its race route at the beach of Copacabana.