Thanks to Golden Age of Gaia.

A protester waves the Brazilian flag in a protest in the capital, Brasilia, against the Confederation Cup. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino /Reuters

Stephen Cook: There’s a lot stirring beneath our everyday existences around the world. In many countries, this undercurrent of change is evident in the sheer numbers of people – of all ages; no matter the country – who are prepared to peacefully walk the streets of their countries to show their distaste for the way things have been – and what they won’t put up with any more. This is a true indication of the mass awakening in action.

The featured video from Brazil (below) most capably demonstrates (pun intended) how important effecting change is to so very, very many of us.

Protests Erupt Across Brazil Over High Costs and Poor Services

Some of country’s biggest ever rallies sweep major cities as bus fare rise is last straw in spiral of high costs and poor services

By Jonathan Watts in Rio de Janeiro, The Guardian – June 18, 2013

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/18/brazil-protests-erupt-huge-scale

Brazil experienced one of its biggest nights of protest in decades on Monday as more than 100,000 people took to the streets nationwide to express their frustration at heavyhanded policing, poor public services and high costs for the World Cup.

The major demonstrations in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia, Belem, Belo Horizonte, Salvador and elsewhere started peacefully but several led to clashes with police and arson attacks on cars and buses.

The large turnout and geographic spread marked a rapid escalation after smaller protests last week against bus price increases led to complaints that police responded disproportionately with rubber bullets, tear gas and violent beatings.

Coinciding with the start of the Confederations Cup – a World Cup test event – the rallies brought together a wide coalition of people frustrated with the escalating costs and persistently poor quality of public services, lavish investment on international sporting events, low standards of healthcare and wider unease about inequality and corruption.

For more on this story, visit: http://goldenageofgaia.com/2013/06/major-protests-across-brazil-and-in-bulgaria/