By Laura Cañupan (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Jun 18, 2013 12:07 PM EDT

Thousands of protesters took the streets of Brazil's biggest cities to march against rising public transport costs and the expense of staging the 2014 World Cup for the fourth day.

The biggest demonstration was in Rio de Janeiro, where 100,000 people joined a mainly peaceful march.

In the capital, Brasilia, people breached security at the National Congress building and scaled its roof.

In Brazil's largest city, São Paulo, about 65,000 people took to the streets. On Monday, protests turned violent with 55 people injured and more than 160 arrested.

A group of protesters brought down one of the gates of the Bandeirantes Palace, the seat of Government of São Paulo. Police used rubber bullets and tear gas against demonstrators to prevent their entry, according to preliminary reports.

Participants in the protest made a bonfire in front of a door and painted graffiti on some walls, shifting the focus from rising transport costs to wider issues.

"For many years, the government has been feeding corruption, people are demonstrating against the system," Graciela Cacador told Reuters news agency.

Authorities have ordered the police not to repress the demonstrators to avoid pitched battles with numerous injuries and arrests as they encountered last Thursday in São Paulo.

In Rio de Janeiro, 100,000 people took part in a peaceful demonstration. However, a small group of protesters broke away from the main protest and attacked the front seat of the state legislature.

The protestors then made a bonfire in front of the entrances to the building and broke some of the windows. Firefighters controlled the fire and military police dispersed the protesters. According to the local media, three people were wounded by gunshot in that incident.

Authorities said they would respond with force only if protesters destroy property. Police commanders said publicly they would not fire rubber bullets during the protest, nor would riot police units be used.

The protests began last week in São Paulo and initially were against bus fares hikes. The fare for a single ticket has gone up from 3 reals to 3.20 reals. Authorities argue that the hike is still below inflation. 

The protesters were also demanding better public services and greater investment in education, health and sanitation, as well as combating corruption and waste of public resources. They also criticize the high expenses incurred by the government to organize sport events like the World Cup next year.

"We need better education, hospitals and security, not billions spent on the World Cup," said one mother who attended the São Paulo march with her daughter.

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