Around 100,000 people are set to take to the streets of Belo Horizonte to protest on Wednesday ahead of Brazil's Confederations Cup semi-final with Uruguay.
It
is just the latest in a number of demonstrations which have filled the
country's cities in recent days and, with it being a holiday in the
capital of Minas Gerais, authorities are expecting the largest turnout
so far.
The Public Ministry of the city had suggested the
semi-final be postponed out of fears for people's safety, but the police
have since guaranteed the public's welfare following the decision to
draft in reinforcements from Brazil's national guard.
The march,
which is being organised by the city's residents and co-ordinated via
social networking platforms, is fuelled by the population's anger that
the government is ignoring its country's public service issues while
focusing its attentions on hosting of sporting events such as the World
Cup next summer - the cost of which is believed to be a source of much
of the hostility.
Wednesday's demonstration is designed to be a
peaceful protest, but its organisers have spread the word through social
networking sites as to what they expect people to wear, including: a
long-sleeved shirt, pants, gloves, goggles and with a handkerchief
covering their face.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter is expected to
be in attendance for the match, though it is not known whether or not
the increased security has been implemented due to his presence.
Brazil
striker Fred, who is expected to start against Uruguay, revealed how he
supports the protest and hopes the demonstration can pass without
incident.
"I'm in favour of the protests because the people
deserve better," he said. "It has to be done without violence and
vandalism though.
"I'm hoping it will be peaceful tomorrow, without confrontations with the police."
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