Riot police and protesters clashed in fresh protests on Tuesday in Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo.
Shops and banks were vandalised by groups of masked activists, who fought other demonstrators trying to stop the violence.
The protests began earlier this month, with demonstrators calling for a 10% hike in bus fares to be revoked.
But they have since grown into a nationwide movement calling for better education, schools and transport.
Looting
More than 50,000 people gathered in front of the Sao Paulo Cathedral on Tuesday for a march through the city centre.
Scuffles broke out with police outside the office of Mayor Fernando Haddad.
Police officers sought refuge inside the building. Stones were thrown, windows broken, and students tried to break down the door.
Journalists were attacked and a car set alight, while protesters set fire to a police station in another part of the city, says the BBC’s Luis Kawaguti.
Brazilian TV showed images of a small group of people involved in looting at nearby offices and shops.
Demonstrations were also taking place in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. As the protests continue, Brazil is hosting the Confederations Cup, a curtain-raiser event for next year’s football World Cup.
Many of the demonstrators have complained of the huge sums spent on construction for the World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, which will be hosted by Rio de Janeiro.
Brazilian footballer Hulk said on Tuesday that watching the protests made him feel like taking part. At least two other players have sent messages of support on social media.
The demonstrations are Brazil’s largest since 1992, when people took to the streets to demand the impeachment of President Fernando Collor de Mello.
