For a demonstration touted as an angry call for the Brazilian military to intervene in the country’s scandal-ridden political scene, the atmosphere in the streets was surprisingly sober, even indolent.
And while the scorching Rio de Janeiro heat would probably keep any crowd from turning raucous, there is something else playing out in Brazil right now that added to the sceptical atmosphere. The message of Sunday’s demonstrations was more complicated than some fringe call for a return to the country’s dictatorial ways.
Take a look at the three early twentysomethings in this photograph. What struck me most in taking their picture was their attitude of near indifference – as if to say “we wouldn’t mind bringing back the military but, either way, we'll happily stroll down sun-soaked Ipanema beach”.
