Brazil protest gains supporters after police crackdown

http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-brazil-protest-recife-world-cup-20140624-story.html



A view of Boa Viagem beach in Recife, Brazil.

Brazil protest gains supporters after police crackdown
Vincent Bevins
6.25.2014

A police crackdown in the northeastern Brazil city of Recife has generated support for protesters occupying land in a historic area to try to stop a high-rise development project.

Many people, including rights activists, said police used excessive force last week in removing members of the Occupy Estelita and Urban Rights movements from an area that was sold by the federal government to private developers. Video of authorities using rubber bullets, batons, and tear gas in an area known as Cais Jose Estelita in Recife, a World Cup host city, was widely shared online.



Demonstrators with the Occupy Estelita movement in Recife, Brazil, oppose the New Recife high-rise project planned for the area.

The Occupy Estelita movement has been one of the few groups to assemble large numbers during the international soccer tournament. The protest is far enough away from the downtown FIFA celebrations and the local Arena Pernambuco — where the U.S. will play Germany on Thursday — to stay clear of most tourists. Demonstrators have kept off roads, avoiding disruption.

Supporters gathered Sunday at the small encampment, now across the street from the contested land, for a day that included an outdoor concert. Many people said it was they first time they had joined in, though protesters have been camping at the site for about a month. A member of Urban Rights said about 2,000 to 3,000 people participated in the event.