The Metropolitan Civil Guard (GCM) used tear gas and pepper spray against revelers in São Paulo's Butantã neighborhood during a block party on Tuesday night.
On Tuesday night, the Metropolitan Civil Guard (GCM) employed tear gas and pepper spray to disperse attendees of the bloc party 'Vai Quem Qué' at Praça Boturoca in the Butantã neighborhood of São Paulo. Videos circulating on social media depict festival-goers coughing and shielding their faces with shirts and cloths as they attempted to escape the harsh effects of the chemical agents. Many fled to nearby bars and restaurants for refuge, highlighting the chaotic scenes that unfolded amidst the celebrations.
One participant recounted that a municipal worker responsible for sanitation had fainted due to the exposure to the tear gas. This incident raises concerns about the safety measures in place during such events, especially for those working in support roles. The Municipal Urban Security Secretariat had not provided a statement by the time of this report, leaving questions about the protocol followed by the GCM in handling the situation.
The 'Vai Quem Qué' bloc, founded in 1981, started its gathering at 1 PM and concluded by 6 PM, adhering to the schedule outlined in the Official Gazette of the Municipality. This clash between the authorities and festive revellers paints a grim picture of public celebrations in the city, reflecting ongoing tensions between civil governance and community expression during carnival season, particularly in the context of crowd control and public safety measures.
