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Anti-austerity protesters clash with police, block roads, start fires in Rio (WATCH LIVE) Anti-austerity protesters clash with police, block roads, start fires in Rio (VIDEO, PHOTOS)
(35 minutes later)
Clashes have broken out between protesting workers and police in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Workers are against freezes on public spending and changes to pensions and job protection. Clashes have broken out between workers protesting austerity and police in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Demonstrators blocked roads, started fires and threw projectiles at police, who responded with water cannons and tear gas.
Protesters have erected barricades across the roads and are burning office furniture and tyres. Thousands of Brazilians joined numerous protests held across the country. One of the largest demonstrations was staged in front Rio de Janeiro's state assembly. It ended up in clashes between the protesters and police that tried to disperse the crowd, AP reports.
The rally participants have also thrown projectiles at riot police. Protesters erected barricades across the roads and are burning office furniture and tyres. Some rally participants also threw projectiles at riot police. In response, police deployed water cannons against the demonstrators. 
Police have deployed water cannons against the demonstrators.  Clouds of smoke, likely from tear gas, were seen in the center of Rio. Riot police were also filmed using smoke grenades against protesters in the city.
Clouds of smoke, can be seen in the center of Rio. Public transport mostly came to a halt across Brazil as the protesters blocked roads and clashed with police at the streets of major cities. In Sao Paulo, most commuter trains and metro lines were stopped. The metro was also closed in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia.
Riot police have been filmed using smoke grenades against protesters in Rio de Janeiro. The general strike was the first in two decades in Brazil. Millions of Brazilians stayed at home Friday. According to the strike organizers, some 40 million people joined the action, TASS reports.
Workers protested freezes on public spending and changes to pensions and job protection.
The general strike is the first in two decades in Brazil. The strike is being accompanied by massive demonstrations held across the country. "It is going to be the biggest strike in the history of Brazil," Paulo Pereira da Silva, the president of trade union group Forca Sindical, said, Reuters reported.
Millions of people have joined the strike, according to local media estimates. "It is going to be the biggest strike in the history of Brazil," Paulo Pereira da Silva, the president of trade union group Forca Sindical, said, Reuters reported. In Sao Paulo, protesters blocked the main road leading to the airport.
In Sao Paulo, protesters have blocked the main road leading to the airport.
Brazilian Indians also joined the demonstrations. Brazilian Indians also joined the demonstrations.