Brazil: Anti-Temer protests in Brasília leave 49 injured /update 3

Event

Local government reports indicate 49 people were injured in protests against President Michel Temer in Brasília on Wednesday, May 24. Police said one protester was shot and wounded while media sources indicated that two others were seriously injured, one who was struck by a rubber bullet to the face and another who lost part of his hand while attempting to throw an explosive device at police.

According to media reports, an estimated 150,000 people participated in the protests against President Temer, which began with crowds gathering near Mané Garrincha stadium before marching toward the Congress building. During the demonstration, protesters clashed with security forces and broke into several ministry buildings. Furniture inside the Ministry of Agriculture building was also set on fire. Authorities ordered the deployment of 1500 federal troops to contain the situation, many of whom remained on guard outside federal buildings early on Thursday, May 25. The soldiers were initially ordered to assist police in the capital for one week and given authority to make arrests, but that order has since been rescinded after public and political opposition. Additional violence cannot be ruled out; avoid the area.

Context

The Popular Brazil Front and People Without Fear organizations, alongside other social movements and trade unions, had called for mass mobilizations on May 24. Demonstrators are demanding the protection of workers' rights as well as the resignation of President Temer, who is currently under investigation for obstruction of justice and corruption.

A recorded conversation of President Temer purportedly showing him discussing the payment of hush money to a jailed politician led to the opening of a formal probe by the Supreme Court on Friday, May 19. The scandal has sparked various protests and prompted eight impeachment filings. Temer has reiterated that he will not step down.

Brazil has seen a series of protests in response to labor and pension reforms proposed by Temer, whose conservative government came to power following the impeachment of former President Dilma Rousseff. Numerous opposition groups, labor unions, and civil society organizations consider Rousseff's ouster and Temer's arrival in office to be illegitimate.

Advice

Individuals in Brazil are advised to avoid all demonstrations due to the risk of violence, to anticipate transportation disruptions surrounding protest sites, and to monitor developments to the situation.