Brazil cities brace for new protests

Brazil cities brace for new protests
Security is being increased in Brazil's biggest cities after
protesters announced they would go ahead with mass demonstrations
planned for Thursday.

Protesters in Sao Paulo said they would take to the streets "to
celebrate" the reversal of a public-transport fare increase announced
on Wednesday.

The protests, which were originally triggered by the increase, have
since grown into a much wider movement.

Demonstrators are angry at corruption and spending on next year's World Cup.

Fenced off
The authorities in the city of Rio de Janeiro have erected barricades
around the state legislature building, which was vandalised during
protests on Monday.

The state governor's office, Guanabara Palace, has also been secured
by a double layer of barricades.

Workers have also fenced off the elevated walkways opposite the
mayor's office and at central underground train stations.

Protesters told the BBC's Julia Carneiro in Rio they would not march
to the city's Maracana stadium, which will be hosting a Confederations
Cup match between Spain and Tahiti at the time.