Protest against World Cup hits Sao Paulo

Rio De Janeiro: About 1,000 protesters have gathered in Brazil's biggest metropolis of Sao Paulo, demonstrating against the billions of dollars being spent to host World Cup 2014 while the nation's public services remain in a woeful state.

The protest started peacefully, but adherents to the Black Block anarchist tactics vandalized banks and clashed with police, who used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the violent demonstrators. Several demonstrators were arrested. Local journalists complained of police knocking off cameras.

The demonstrations have shrunk in size but remain violent. Several people were run over by motorists while marching in crowded streets.