Protesters clash with police in Fortaleza
In the fifth protest held in ten days in the capital of Ceará, demonstrators once again clashed with police in the streets of Fortaleza (CE); the situation was brought under control after the Military Police (PM) used tear gas and stun grenades against the demonstrators; the action took place in the vicinity of the Castelão stadium, where Italy and Spain are facing each other this Thursday (27), after a containment barrier was broken by the crowd; a TV Diário car was set on fire; according to the police, about five thousand people participated in the protest.
PE247 – In the fifth protest held in ten days in the capital of Ceará, which took place this Thursday (27), demonstrators once again clashed with police on the streets of Fortaleza. The situation was brought under control after the Military Police (PM) used tear gas and stun grenades against the demonstrators. The action took place on Avenida Dedé Brasil, near the Castelão stadium, after a barrier set up by the police was broken by the crowd. Some demonstrators threw stones at the police and one of them was injured, having to be treated by the National Force ambulance. According to the police, about five thousand people participated in the protest.
The general commander of the PM, Colonel Werisleik Matias, stated that, after the first barrier, the demonstrators would have to stay at least 200 meters away from the Arena Castelão. To prevent the protest from occupying other side roads that give access to the stadium, the venue for the game between Spain and Italy, this Thursday (27), the contingent of the Shock Battalion and the Cavalry was reinforced. A car belonging to a local TV station, TV Diário, was set on fire on Avenida Dedé Brasil. A fire truck was waiting for the PM to remove the vandals to reach the car and control the fire.
The minority that resorted to violence also vandalized walls with graffiti, broke windows, and burned trash in the street, even amidst jeers from other protesters. "No violence! No violence!" shouted most of the protesters, but the group that wanted trouble continued to confront the police. This minority even threw stones at a bus carrying fans to the Castelão Arena. The bus had to stop and the passengers got off. Some protesters tried in vain to prevent the stoning.