Brazil: Pro- and anti-government protests to take place nationwide May 1

Event

Pro- and anti-government groups and social movements have announced plans to stage demonstrations in several cities in Brazil on Labor Day, May 1.

In the city of Sao Paulo, anti-government protesters will gather at Praca Charles Miller, near Estadio do Pacaembu, from 10:00. Meanwhile, activists supporting the government in Sao Paulo will gather outside the Museum of Art of Sao Paulo (Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo, MASP) on Avenida Paulista from 14:00. The two protest locations are located around 3 km (1.8 miles) from each other. Pro-government groups have also called for gatherings in Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia without confirming exact times and locations.

Organizers of anti-government protests have confirmed the following specific gathering locations and start times:

• Brasilia, Federal District: Funarte from 16:00

• Florianopolis, Santa Catarina: Largo da Alfandega from 10:00

• Fortaleza, Ceara: March from Areninha do Pirambu at 09:00 towards Vila do Mar

• Goiania, Goias: Praca do Trabalhador from 09:00

• Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro: Aterro do Flamengo from 10:00

• Salvador, Bahia: Farol da Barra from 10:00

Further anti- and pro-government protests and other Labor Day gatherings are possible in other cities in Brazil May 1. Traffic disruptions are likely in the vicinity of large gatherings. Clashes between protesters of opposing groups are possible; protesters may also clash with the police if authorities attempt to disperse protesters forcibly.

Advice

Avoid all protests as a standard security precaution. If violence breaks out, leave the area immediately and seek shelter in the nearest secure location. Allow extra time for travel near known demonstration sites.