RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Few things could damage the image of Brazil more than violent street protests during the World Cup.
Demonstrations during June’s Confederations Cup — the World Cup warm-up — caught Brazil’s police and military police by surprise. There will be no surprises this time, on either side.
Brazil’s police are getting training from their French counterparts, and followers of the Black Bloc anarchist movement have announced plans for demonstrations, starting with the opening World Cup match on June 12 in Sao Paulo. A Black Bloc Facebook page lists demonstrations for June 13 in Natal, Salvador and Cuiaba, followed by six more protests in six cities on June 14 and 15.
Security is on the agenda as football’s world governing body FIFA meets in the run-up to Friday’s World Cup draw.
