Demonstrations sweep major Brazilian cities

BRASILIA, June 20 – Hundreds of thousands of Brazilians Thursday heeded calls via social networks to join anti-government protests in 100 cities against corruption and scant public services.

In Sao Paulo, where protests began last week after transit fares went up as the federal government was spending millions of tax dollars to host international sporting events, organizers called for a festive demonstration to celebrate that the fare hikes were rolled back the day before. It was estimated that 300,000 people thronged the streets of of the city.

In capital Brasilia, security was reinforced around the National Congress after the social network of "Wake up, Brasilia!" called for rallies. The network boasts 55,000 members.

The group said it did not aim to incite or support protesters entering the Chamber of Deputies or Senate, or any other actions beyond the area outside the congressional building.

At the same time, the ruling Workers Party (PT) called on members to go out into the streets carrying red flags in support of President Dilma Rousseff, whose government has been on the defensive since the protests began.

The fervor and magnitude of the protests led Rousseff to postpone a trip to Japan that was scheduled for next week, officials at the presidential palace of Planalto said Thursday.

Governor of state Sao Paulo Geraldo Alckmin and Mayor of the city Fernando Haddad came under fire last week for traveling to Paris instead of paying much attention to the demonstrations, which grew larger and louder after a police crackdown led to the arrest of 230 people and dozens of injuries.

Brazil, which is currently hosting the FIFA Confederations Cup and will host next year's World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, has reportedly invested billions in infrastructure and other preparations.