Brazil anti-World Cup protesters clash with police

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An indigenous Brazilian protesters aims an arrow at riot police who fired tear gas at demonstrators in Brasilia - 27 May 2014Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
A group of indigenous protesters demanding land rights took part in the demonstration

Police in Brazil have fired tear gas at anti-World Cup and indigenous demonstrators in the capital, Brasilia.

Stones were hurled at security forces as hundreds of protesters tried to reach the National Stadium – where the golden tournament cup is on display.

A group of indigenous people who were demanding land rights at Congress eventually joined the protest.

This is the latest in a series of demonstrations in Brazil against the cost of staging the tournament.

Authorities say around 1,500 people were taking part in Tuesday's demonstration, which blocked one of the main roads of the city.

As the crowd tried to walk towards the National Stadium, host to several tournament matches, mounted police blocked their way.

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Tear-gas and stun grenades were fired by troops

Image source, AFP
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Some of the protesters walked to the roof of the Brazilian Congress to demand their rights
Image source, AFP
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Indigenous people also joined the protests in the capital Brasilia

With tensions running high, police fired tear gas several times to break up the demonstration.

The crowd was joined by a group of indigenous people who had climbed onto the roof of the Brazilian Congress building to demand changes in how their land is demarcated.

A policeman was reportedly injured in the leg by an arrow shot during the scuffles.

The demonstrations gridlocked the traffic in Brasilia for hours.

Last year, up to a million people joined demonstrations across the country to demand better public services and highlight corruption and the high cost of staging the World Cup.

Since then several other anti-World Cup protests have been staged in Brazil, with many descending into violence.

Image source, AP
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The protesters were involved in a tense stand-off with the mounted police
Image source, Reuters
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The stand-off gridlocked traffic across Brasilia for hours as police tried to disperse demonstrators