Please support our coverage of democratic movements and become a monthly supporter of rabble.ca.
As the World Cup began in Brazil, frightening pictures of hundreds of heavily armoured cops marching through Rio's streets circulated on social media. These "Robocops" of the Major Events Police Battalion, were part of a special unit developed in response to public demonstrations during last year's Confederation Cup. Brazilian authorities are using 157,000 security and police officers to avoid any disruption of the high profile event.