Burning buses, trash: Rio and Sao Paulo hit by riots ahead of soccer world cup in Brazil

Demonstrators clashed with police and burned trash and portable toilets in downtown Sao Paulo on Tuesday (April 29), just 44 days before the city is slated to host the opening match of the 2014 World Cup.

Demonstrators from groups representing homeless people and workers protested outside city hall to call for the passage of a building ordinance that was being debated by lawmakers which would establish land use rules in the city.

Some of the demonstrators turned violent and began vandalizing parts of the city near the government building.

Police used water cannon and tear gas to break up the crowds.

More police were called to the scene in riot gear as the protesters moved to the centre of the city where some started trash fires and torched portable toilets and other large items.

The unrest follows violent protests in two of Rio de Janeiro’s slum neighbourhoods that left nine city buses burned out on Monday (April 28) night.

The hostility comes just weeks before the start of the soccer World Cup which will open in Sao Paulo on June 12 and will also be played in 11 other Brazilian cities.