Police and protesters clashed during a march near the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro where opening ceremonies were set to take place Friday evening.
Tensions flared as police fired tear gas towards the protesters in Alfonso Pena Square, less than two miles away from Maracana Stadium. The demonstrations were reportedly planned to end at the square, but protesters continued to march toward the stadium. Posts to Twitter indicate that before then, police were allowing them to march, but "slowly."
Olympic Torch Ends 22,000-Mile Journey at Opening Ceremony Tonight Inside the Problems That Plague Rio as Olympic Games Begin Olympic Beach Water Includes High Levels of Bacteria Found in Sewage, Tests ShowLittle bit louder now as police are blocking the road. pic.twitter.com/c10M831Tsr
— Eric Adelson (@eric_adelson) August 5, 2016
The two groups clashed after police blocked the path of the demonstrators. It is unclear how many people were injured or arrested.
Earlier today, an additional protest on the famed Copacabana beach stopped the Olympic torch relay.