Brazil has been rocked by chaotic protests sparked by the FIFA Confederations Cup in June, reports Emma Elliott Freire in today’s On the Square .
The protests began when a leftist group ( Movimento Passe Livre ) denounced an increase in bus fares and demanded a greater level of government subsidy. This quickly grew into a broad expression of discontent with the national status quo as millions took to the streets. Much of the resentment focused on the billions of dollars spent on stadiums for next year’s soccer World Cup, even as the average Brazilian deals with poor infrastructure, education, and medical care. But the views being expressed in the protests were as diverse as the protestors themselves. Two people could be marching side by side and protesting two totally different things.
Christians concerned to love their neighbors and serve the common good have taken different approaches to whether they should join the demonstrations. Read the full column here .
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