Brazil: World Cup protesters mark Stonewall riots anniversary
Thousands of protesters marched through Rio De Janeiro on Saturday to mark the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.
Demonstrators strode past the Copacabana beach just hours before Brazil’s knockout game with Chile.
There have been frequent protests in Brazil against the amount of money spent on the World Cup while many Brazilians remain poor and without utilities such as running water.
On the anniversary of the Stonewall riots though, protesters decided to combine these issues with an anti-homophobia message.
One protestor named Jobe told 972 mag: “We are not just LGBT. We are also workers, blacks, women and we can not disconnect from the other social movement. We need to come together and join forces.”
He added: “I don’t want my taxes to be invested in these games but rather in social services like health, education, public transportation and housing rights. We are not against football but the World Cup is good for enterprises that come to Brazil and exploit it.”
Fans of both Brazil and Mexico fans have been heard chanting homophobic insults at the World Cup and homophobic t-shirts have been on sale in Brazil.
