World

Massive Protests Rock Brazil (Photos)

On the Streets

The appointment of former president Lula to a cabinet post—apparently to avoid prosecution for corruption—has brought thousands to the streets.

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Roosevelt Cassio / Reuters
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Workers of General Motors march against Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff, former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and oppositions as they carry inflatable dolls depicting Rousseff (L) and opposition senator Aecio Neves, near the GM plant in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, March 18, 2016. The banner with pictures of (L-R) Rousseff, Lula da Silva, senator Neves, Brazil's Vice President Michel Temer, senator Renan Calheiros and President of the Chamber of Deputies Eduardo Cunha, reads, "Out all of them, General Elections now!".

Roosevelt Cassio / Reuters
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Demontrators take part in a protest against President Dilma Rousseff's appointment of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as her chief of staff, in front of the Brazilian national congress in Brasilia, Brazil, March 17, 2016.

Ricardo Moraes / Reuters
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A demonstrators holds an inflatable doll depicting Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff as he takes part in a protest against the appointment of Brazil's former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as her chief of staff, at Paulista avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil, March 17, 2016.

Paulo Whitaker / Reuters
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Demonstrators call for the impeachment of Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff and protest the naming of her mentor, former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, as her new chief of staff, outside Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Supporters say the move will help the president fight impeachment proceedings and critics blast it as a scheme to shield Lula from possible detention in corruption probes related to a bribery scandal at Brazil's state oil company Petrobras.

Eraldo Peres/AP
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Riot police throw tear gas at demonstrators gathered next to Planalto Palace in Brasilia to protest against the government on March 17. Brazil’s former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in Thursday as chief of staff to his embattled successor, Dilma Rousseff, amid angry protests from opponents accusing him of trying to dodge corruption charges. Lula took office in a tumultuous scene at the presidential palace, where a protester shouted “Shame!” and the ex-president’s supporters chanted slogans accusing their opponents of seeking a “coup.”

Andressa Anholete/AFP/Getty
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Anti-government demonstrators in Sao Paulo protest on March 16 against the appointment of former president Lula as a minister. A cardboard cutout of Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff (C) reads, “Out Dilma.”

Leonardo Benassatto/Reuters
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A line of riot policemen stands guard outside the Planalto Palace in Brasilia on March 16. President Rousseff named her predecessor Lula as her chief of staff Wednesday, sparing him possible arrest for corruption as she seeks to fend off a damaging crisis. Ministerial immunity will now protect him from prosecution in ordinary court as cabinet ministers can only be tried before the Supreme Court in Brazil.

Evaristo Sa/AFP/Getty
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Demonstrators attend a protest in Sao Paulo on March 16.

Leonardo Benassatto/Reuters
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A demonstrator in front of the national congress in Brasilia throws an inflatable doll known as “Pixuleco” of former president Lula in a bonfire during a protest on March 16.

Adriano Machado/Reuters
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A demonstrator on Avenida Paulista in Sao Paulo wears a mask with a defaced picture depicting Lula during a protest March 17 over his appointment as chief of staff. The picture reads, “Sergio Moro, Brazil needs you”—referring to the federal judge leading Brazil’s huge corruption probe.

Paulo Whitaker/Reuters
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A police officer detains a demonstrator during a protest against President Dilma Rousseff's appointment of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as her chief of staff, in front of the Brazilian national congress in Brasilia, Brazil, March 17, 2016.

Ricardo Moraes/Reuters
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A police officer uses pepper spray during a protest against President Dilma Rousseff's appointment of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as her chief of staff, in front of the Brazilian national congress in Brasilia, Brazil, March 17, 2016.

Adriano Machado/Reuters

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