WARNING: NATIONWIDE PROTESTS JAN. 25 - BRAZIL

I just received this at work warning US DHS agents residing, traveling to and/or visiting Brazil.

NATIONWIDE PROTESTS JAN. 25 - BRAZIL

Anti-government activists plan to protest throughout Brazil Jan. 25. Expect traffic disruptions. Low-level clashes with police and vandalism possible.


Event:Anti-government protests (nationwide)
Date:Jan. 25
Impact:Traffic disruptions, heightened security, possible vandalism and low-level clashes with police



Summary
Protesters plan to stage anti-government demonstrations on Jan. 25 in more than 30 cities and state capitals nationwide. Activists are angry with the government for spending exorbitant amounts of money on preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup rather than public services. According to social media sources, nearly 18,000 people plan to protest in Sao Paulo and more than 3,000 activists plan to demonstrate in Rio de Janeiro.

Expect localized traffic disruptions. Low-level clashes between protesters and security forces might occur, especially if police use tear gas and/or water cannon to forcibly disperse crowds. Black Bloc anarchists will likely participate in many of the protests, particularly in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, increasing the likelihood for violence and vandalism.

Similar demonstrations are likely to occur before and during the World Cup, which will run from June 12-July 13.

Planned Protests



Arapiraca, Alagoas State
Aracaju, Sergipe State
Belem, Parana State
Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State
Boa Vista, Roraima State
Brasilia, Federal District
Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State
Cuiaba, Mato Grosso State
Curitiba, Parana State
Florianopolis, Santa Catarina State
Fortaleza, Ceara State
Goiania, Goais State
Joao Pessoa, Paraiba
Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais State
Macapa, Amapa State
Maceio, Alagoas State
Manaus, Amazonas State
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
Palmas, Tocantins State
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State
Porto Velho, Rondonia State
Recife, Pernambuco State
Rio Branco, Acre State
Rio de Janeiro City
Salvador, Bahia State
Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo State
Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo State
Sao Luis, Maranhao State
Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo State
Sorocaba, Sao Paulo State
Teresina, Piaui State
Uberlandia, Minas Gerais State
Vitoria, Espirito Santo State



Background and Analysis
For many protesters, the World Cup serves as a symbol of what they perceive to be the government''s misappropriation of public funds. Nationwide anti-government marches and demonstrations began in June 2013 and have continued sporadically since. Activists claim that the government has failed to adequately address many of the issues they have been protesting, including political corruption, public transport costs, high taxes, and poor healthcare and education, and a number of groups plan to use the World Cup spotlight to draw attention to their grievances. The Black Bloc has publically announced plans to sabotage the World Cup. President Dilma Rousseff has stepped up security enormously to counter any protests during the event. On Jan. 3, security officials announced that 10,000 specially trained riot police will be deployed in the 12 cities hosting matches. Regardless, demonstrations will likely take place during the run-up to the competition, which starts in June.

Advice
Avoid all protests. Allow additional driving time if operating in cities where demonstrations are planned. Seek shelter inside buildings if clashes erupt, but do not relocate to underground metro stations, where tear gas concentrations may be high.