21 Pictures Of The Anti-World Cup Protests In Brazil

    Brazil's sports minister said there would only be "very small" protests at this summer's World Cup, but rioting and unrest has hit several host cities on Thursday, with less than a month until kick off.

    1. As many as 1,000 protesters took to the streets in Rio de Janeiro, chanting anti-World Cup slogans, as coordinated protests hit at least 12 cities on Thursday.

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    3. Police across the country are heavily armed and armoured, with the state holding demonstrations to show off its might.

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    5. During a riot practice scenario a man is seen throwing a shoe at police.

    6. Protesters in Sao Paulo showed their anger at the money spent on the city's Itaquerao Stadium.

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    10. Demonstrators carried a bouquet with the message "Cup of death".

    11. Brazil has assured the 600,000 expected foreign visitors that they will be safe.

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    13. Some of the worst violence was in northeastern state of Pernambuco, where military police are striking for a 50% pay increase.

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    16. Civil police officers detain suspected looters in Recife.

    17. The coordinated protests reached the capital, Brasilia.

    18. The placard says: "As the crowd watches, the bodies of girls and women are trophies for tourists."

    19. Protestors in Brasila hold up crosses bearing the names of construction workers who died building the World Cup Stadiums.

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    21. The banner read: "Cup for Whom? Garrincha Stadium or 13,000 Homes?"

    In a speech yesterday, President Dilma Rousseff defended the country's preparations for the World Cup and called on citizens to show "the hospitality that is part of the Brazilian soul".

    Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo said that the unrest isn't related to the World Cup: "From what I've seen, these are specific claims by workers. I've seen nothing that is related to the Cup."