Anti-corruption protests in Brazil draw millions

Millions of people took to the streets in dozens of Brazilian cities on Sunday to urge the government stop corruption and arrest officials involved in such activities.

About 3 million people participated in rallies in Salvador de Bahia, Belem, Rio de Janeiro and other places, according to Brazilian police.

Big turnout at anti-govt protest on Copacabana Beach. #Brazil pic.twitter.com/gIAnrce0Hy

— Shasta Darlington (@ShastaCNN) March 13, 2016

Earlier this month, several Brazilian government officials including former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were summoned for interrogation for allegedly taking bribes. Lula was briefly detained for questioning on March 4 as part of an investigation into a corruption case involving the state-owned oil company Petrobras.

The investigation carried by Brazilian prosecutors and the federal police is now covering more and more people.

In Rio de Janeiro, 80,000 to 100,000 protesters rallied on the Copacabana Beach where a beach volleyball Olympic test competition was being held.

“People from any of the parties may be the next target of the investigation. We have seen both the ruling party and opposition parties being involved. Both of them have appeared in the investigation list,” said John Paul, one of the protesters.

“We cannot bear the corruption anymore. We support the country to hold the Olympic Games and other large events, and achieve development in the process, but the problem is that the country lacks effective governance and too much corruption has emerged,” said Daniel, another protester.

3mn people take to streets in #Brazil ’s biggest ever anti-govt protest https://t.co/Mb7rFcDgsR pic.twitter.com/mB2MLDczdK

— RT (@RT_com) March 14, 2016

Demonstrations involving millions of people were held before the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup respectively, affecting the sporting events to some extent.