Brazilians Clash Outside Stadium as Rousseff Pleads Peace

Brazilian police had to restrain demonstrators who threatened to disrupt the Confederations Cup soccer tournament yesterday even after President Dilma Rousseff urged protesters to abandon violence and welcome foreign squads gearing up for next year’s World Cup.

More than 100,000 marched in cities throughout Brazil yesterday as protests demanding improved public services and less government corruption entered a third week. The biggest demonstration was in Belo Horizonte, where television images showed protesters clashing with police near the stadium where Mexico’s national team beat Japan. Tens of thousands more demonstrated in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and the southern city of Santa Maria. Police estimate over 5,000 protested in Salvador, where Brazil defeated Italy.