Brazil police strike continues despite deal

AFP, RIO DE JANEIRO: Relatives of police in southeastern Brazil blockaded law enforcement stations Saturday as part of a weeklong protest, despite an agreement meant to end an officers’ strike that has plunged the region into chaos.
At least 137 people have been reported killed amid looting and robbery in Espirito Santo state since police went on strike a week ago demanding better pay.
“We spoke with our officers, and urged common sense. And that they get back on their jobs. We are talking about more than 100 people killed,” Espirito Santo state human rights chief Julio Cesar Pompeu told Agencia Brasil.
According to an agreement Friday night between local authorities and police representatives, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, the police were meant to return to work from 7:00 am Saturday (0900 GMT). In exchange, they would not face disciplinary action.
But the deadline came and went, and the situation remained unchanged.
The agreement came after authorities ran out of patience and said they were filing rebellion charges against more than 700 officers who had refused to leave their bases.

Brazil police strike continues despite deal

AFP, RIO DE JANEIRO: Relatives of police in southeastern Brazil blockaded law enforcement stations Saturday as part of a weeklong protest, despite an agreement meant to end an officers strike that has plunged the region into chaos. At least 137 people have been reported killed amid looting and robbery in Espirito Santo state since police went on strike a week ago demanding better pay. We spoke with our officers, and urged common sense. And that they get back on their jobs. We are talking about more than 100 people killed, Espirito Santo state human rights chief Julio Cesar Pompeu told Agencia Brasil. According to an agreement Friday night between local authorities and police representatives, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, the police were meant to return to work from 7:00 am Saturday (0900 GMT). In exchange, they would not face disciplinary action. But the deadline came and went, and the situation remained unchanged. The agreement came after authorities ran out of patience and said they were filing rebellion charges against more than 700 officers who had refused to leave their bases.