Protesters invade Rio de Janeiro city council building; Police force out demonstrators

August 1, 2013 at 2:30AM

RIO DE JANEIRO — Anti-government demonstrators briefly invaded the city council building in Rio de Janeiro in the latest in a wave of protests that have hit Brazil.

Police say they repelled about 50 protesters who gained access to the council building in central Rio via a side door.

The clash came toward the end of an anti-government march Wednesday night that united about 700 protesters who focused their anger on Rio state Gov. Sergio Cabral. He's become the focus of demonstrators' anger. They accuse him of corruption and demand his impeachment.

TV images showed protesters scattering outside the building after police used tear gas and pepper spray.

Nationwide anti-government protests started in Brazil in June. Complaints target poor public services in the face of citizen's heavy tax burden.

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