Anti racism protest ends with rubber bullets and tear gas in Brazil

An anti-racism protest in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba ended in violence on June 1 night with police using rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd of hundreds of people.

The demonstration that began peacefully was almost finished when the hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Parana State Federal University, shouting slogans against racism and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. It turned violent when later a small group marched downtown throwing objects and breaking windows of some buildings, and burning a Brazilian flag near the governor's palace.

Governor Ratinho Jr. is a close ally of Bolsonaro. Police said that no one had been arrested. About 20% of Curitiba's 1.7 million residents are black or multiracial, less than many other large Brazilian cities. The protest was called by anti-fascist groups on social media.

(Image credit: Representative Image)