Outside the Olympic Village, There’s a Bigger Story Happening
While much of news media focuses it’s cameras on the sports being played out inside the stadiums there’s a bigger story happening outside that involves thousands of Brazilians. Many have been displaced by the Olympic games and the World Cup before it and many more complain of the games costs in a country reeling from financial collapse. As with Sochi claims of corruption have been made against the government and the IOC – billions of dollars with little oversight have been funnelled from tax dollars to building hotels and stadiums. Many Brazilians ask why the money could be found for the Games, but not for social programs.
Photographer Shay Horse sends us these photos from outside the stadium walls and security gates of the Olympic village in Rio.
-Zach D Roberts, Editor
A protester using an aerosol can as a flamethrower to burn a Brazilian flag during the protests against the Olympic Opening Ceremony.
A protester being arrested after a clash between the protesters and the Military Police.
Tear gas and concussion grenades were used to force a dispersal from Afonso Pena square after the black bloc stole a Brazilian flag from a flagpole in the square.
A member of the black Bloc using an aerosol can as a flame thrower to burn a Brazilian flag. They used the burning flag as a torch and attempted to march out from the sqaure using it before the military police cracked down on the Black Bloc
Residents viewing the protests
The military police enforced a security zone around the Maracana stadium. Only those with Olympic tickets could pass the line.
A member of the black bloc adjusts their mask before the protests began. The black bloc is a tight knit group and would assist each other in “Bloc-Ing” up. Meaning wearing the trade mark all black clothing of a Black Bloc.