Anti-Gov't Protests Sweep Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- Demonstrators are taking to the streets of cities and towns across Brazil for a day of nationwide anti-government protests.

Sunday's protests, which were called mostly via social media by a variety of groups, are seen as a barometer of popular discontent with President Dilma Rousseff. Her second term in office has been shaken by a snowballing corruption scandal involving politicians from her Workers' Party, as well as a spluttering economy, spiraling currency and rising inflation.

Thousands of people brandishing green and yellow Brazilian flags streamed onto Rio's Copacabana Beach, and smaller demonstrations were under way in the Amazonian city of Belem and the central city of Belo Horizonte.

It was the third large-scale anti-government demonstration this year.

Rousseff's popularity ratings are at historic lows.

(KA)