Due to its interesting content we publish here an English translation of the statement of the Sao Paulo "Movement for Free Fares" regarding the attacks on left-wing organisations at the demonstrations on June 20.

The mayor of Sao Paulo, Haddad, has been forced to retreat on the question of bus fare increases along with the regional governor Alckmin and Rio de Janeiro mayor Eduardo Paz. In the wake of this move in the largest cities in the country, others will follow suit. Campinas and Niterói have also already announced the revocation of the fare increase. Very few mayors will be able to resist!

Brazil is currently experiencing the largest demonstrations seen in the country for over 20 years. Today it has been estimated that 200,000 Brazilians have been protesting in eleven cities across the country, with the demonstration in Rio de Janeiro attracting 100,000 people

São Paulo: 3.20 reais; Recife: R$3.45; Porto Alegre R$3.05; Goiânia: R$3.00; Curitiba: $2.85; Rio de Janeiro: R$ 2.95. These prices are just a sample of the new bus fares which have increased all over Brazil in the first half of 2013. They have aroused indignation in thousands of public transport users. But in the context of global crisis and popular resistance in many countries, is the anger reflected in the demonstrations only related to public transport?

On Sunday October 7 municipal elections were held in Brazil. While the second round still has not taken place, the Workers Party (PT) would have won this election but reducing its overall vote compared to the 2008 municipal elections. The Esquerda Marxista, Marxist Left of the PT, has participated in the electoral battle fielding candidates in some cities, large and small. Our candidates were workers, trade unionists and youth united by the same battle: to reclaim the PT to its name and its founding principles: to represent the class independence of the proletariat in the struggle against capitalism.