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Police use teargas and batons to break up World Cup protest in São Paulo Police use teargas and batons to break up World Cup protest in São Paulo
(about 1 hour later)
Police have fired teargas and flash grenades at anti-World Cup protesters trying to block part of the main highway leading to São Paulo's stadium hours before it is due to host the opening match of the tournament, injuring a CNN producer in the process. Police have fired teargas and flash grenades at anti-World Cup protesters trying to block part of the main highway leading to São Paulo's stadium hours before it is due to host the opening match of the tournament, injuring two CNN journalists in the process.
Amid a heavy security presence in the city, with military helicopters hovering overhead, police also used rubber truncheons to disperse about 50 demonstrators that tried to block the Radial Leste highway. Amid a heavy security presence in the city, with military helicopters hovering overhead, police also used rubber truncheons to disperse about 100 demonstrators that tried to block the Radial Leste highway, about 11km from the Arena Corinthians.
Barbara Arvanitidis, a CNN producer, was injured and suffered a suspected broken arm, according to her colleague Alex Thomas, who posted a photograph online of Arvanitidis slumped against a wall. Another picture showed a protester apparently being pepper sprayed while being held round the neck by another policeman. The protesters had said they planned to march as close as possible to Arena Corinthians, where Brazil are due to play Croatia at 5pm (9pm BST), but police forcefully broke up the demonstrators before they could start. BBC Radio 5 Live's correspondent Richard Conway tweeted: "Didn't appear to be any particular reason for police action, protestors were peaceful and chanting." CNN's Brazil bureau chief Shasta Darlington suffered a minor cut on her arm and producer Barbara Arvanitidis incurred a wrist injury after the pair were struck by a teargas cannister, CNN reported. Arvantidis's colleague Alex Thomas, posted a photograph online of her slumped against a wall.
A producer for BBC Brazil reported that one person was injured and one arrested in the police crackdown. Another picture showed a protester apparently being pepper sprayed while being held round the neck by a policeman. There were also reports that a German TV producer had been hit on the arm by a rubber bullet. A military police spokesman told Reuters at least five people had been injured. At least one person was reported to have been arrested.
The protesters had said they planned to march as close as possible to the stadium, where Brazil are due to play Croatia at 5pm (9pm BST), but police forcefully broke up the demonstrators before they could start However, they regrouped about two hours later and clashed with police again three blocks away, hurling rocks and setting fire to trash.
BBC Radio 5 Live's correspondent Richard Conway tweeted: "Didn't appear to be any particular reason for police action, protestors were peaceful and chanting."
Many Brazilians are furious over the $11.3 billion (£6.7bn) spent on hosting the World Cup when basic social services are poorly financed. Last year saw a wave of demonstrations that sent a million people into the streets on a single night.