Clashes erupt between protesters and police in Sao Paulo

Clashes broke out between protesters and police in Sao Paulo on Tuesday night during a demonstration against Governor Geraldo Alckmin.

Local television showed protesters dispersing amidst plumes of tear gas smoke.

Some protesters also caused damage to local businesses, attacking shop fronts and even vandalizing vehicles in a car showroom.

According to authorities there were 300 demonstrators and 200 military police officers present at the protest.

One demonstrator was seen on local television with head injuries from the clash.

Police say they have detained 20 people suspected of vandalism and aggression in the protest.

Both Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro governors have been the target of protests that began in June, they have seen their approval ratings plummet ever since.

A 10-cent hike in bus and subway fares in Sao Paulo initially triggered the wave of mass demonstrations, which rapidly snowballed into nationwide movement over a simmering public dissatisfaction about a disparate set of issues including government corruption, high taxes and poor government services.


AP