Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
(AP Photo/Victor R Caivano)
TENS OF THOUSANDS of people have rallied in major Brazilian cities this week against the huge costs of hosting the 2014 World Cup, in the latest protests to mark major sporting events.
There are some precedents for this:
1968 OLYMPIC GAMES IN MEXICO:
(Screengrab via YouTube)
Students in Mexico disagree about state money being spent on the Olympics and stage a series of protests, all broken up violently by the police. Ten days before the Games are to begin the army opens fire on a peaceful rally and kills more than 300, according to human rights groups, 44 according to the official toll.
1988 OLYMPIC GAMES IN SEOUL:
Riot police hold shields during a student demonstration in Seoul in September 1986 over the hosting of the 1988 Olympics. (AP Photo)
Several months before the Games open in September, extremist students launch demonstrations against the Olympics, seeing them as a way of perpetuating the division of South and North Korea. The Games go ahead unhindered.
1998 WORLD CUP IN FRANCE:
(Image of Air France plane: Tupungato / Shutterstock.com)
In the days leading up to the world’s major soccer tournament, Air France pilots go on strike, almost paralysing air traffic.
Management and unions representing the pilots reach a compromise deal to end the strike hours before the World Cup kicks off on June 10, allowing the company, which is designated the official carrier of the tournament, to operate 160 special flights carrying teams and their supporters between the 10 French towns hosting the matches.
2000 OLYMPIC GAMES IN SYDNEY:
Aborigines perform during the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia (AP Photo/CP/Ryana Remiorz)
Aborigines, who make up less than three percent of the Australian population, threaten to demonstrate at the opening of the Games, and to form a human chain between Sydney airport and the city centre, in protest at alleged discrimination. Their protests remain limited in scope due to divisions in their ranks and the lack of manpower.
2010 WORLD CUP IN SOUTH AFRICA:
People stand around waiting to board buses during the taxi strike in Khayelitsha, Soth Africa, in February 2009. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)
Minibus taxi operators organise often violent demonstrations in towns across South Africa, notably in Johannesburg and Soweto, against a new public bus system intended to ferry fans to World Cup matches.
One person is killed and several injured in 2009 and 2010 in shootings at BRT buses, known locally as Rea Vaya, which taxi operators see as a threat to their near-monopoly on commuter services.
Also, in July, 2009, a strike paralyses for a week the construction of stadiums for the World Cup as some 70,000 workmen down tools in what turns out to be a successful fight for higher wages.
2008 OLYMPIC GAMES IN BEIJING:
Police detain a protester at the beginning of the flame-lighting ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Greece in March 2008. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
In the run-up to the Games, protests take place in numerous countries to protest against China’s human rights record. Sometimes violent incidents take place as the Olympic flame is carried around the world.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
The picture of that cowardly cop pepper spraying that woman is disgraceful. He should become known as “Pepper Pig”. But in all seriousness, cops the world over are becoming no more than legalised thugs doing the dirty work of corrupt governments, bankers and big business. Shame on them!
@ Frank, my gut reaction is the same. I dislike the violent mentality of the police.
I over heard them coming out of Pearse Street Garda station to go up to a protest in Dame Street talking about cracking heads. This mentality is despicable.
Such vicious behaviour alienates the public and polarises the disputes.
It takes a special kind of thug to pepper spray a defenceless woman.
A picture tells a 1000 tales, who knows what went on there, think your presuming a little too much! It’s really hard to comment on that picture with out all the relevant facts , she could have had a weapon for all we know.
@ Philip Brady, I looked at this photo carefully and managed to find a video clip as well. There is no sign of a weapon. Ifs and buts or perhaps or could bes are not evidence. Denial is a common affliction of those presented with evidence. Perhaps, you are visually impaired.
Brazil is awake, along with Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Canada and many others around the world. Freedom, justice and a new system beckons and a movement towards peaceful anarchy. Wakey wakey sleepy old Ireland, the empire is crumbling and we need to create a new world.
If only. If only.
So what should we do? All march to Dublin and start making sh1t of the place? Hate when people say we should be protesting like the people do in France, Greece etc, the only results seem to be more violence and anger
No, we’ll have a cup of tea and say, ‘Ah sure, it’ll be grand.’
Sitting on our arses and saying Violence wont solve anything,and dialoge is the way forward.” Hasn’t worked either.Then we condem those who protest as nuts who wont change anything,and perish the thought of protesting outside a politicans house…against the rules of Irish protest too.
There are no rules in protesting or demos folks .Use what works.
This is a worldwide (r)evolution so it doesn’t matter if the majority of sheople in Ireland are sitting around drinking tea in blissful ignorance, still watching at 6 and 9 thinking they are keeping up to date on ‘the news’ from the tell-lies-vision. Our history is a lie and there have been more advanced civilisations living on earth in the past. Now why would this be kept from us unless the emperor wanted to keep us ignorant as knowledge is power. Apparently all roads lead to Rome. btw ever read about the apocalypse and the signs such as the floods, earthquakes, sinkholes meteors and the like?
have your say