Sao Paulo, Jun 1 (EFE).– A group of activists with the MTST homeless workers movement on Wednesday occupied the Sao Paulo office of the Brazilian presidency and confronted police in the heart of the country’s largest city.

The group invaded the offices of the presidency on Wednesday afternoon and painted it with messages such as “MTST People Without Fear” and “Temer Out,” a slogan that the social movements have incorporated to protest against the government of Acting President Michel Temer.

Carrying red flags, the color identified with the Workers Party of suspended President Dilma Rousseff, the demonstrators blocked traffic in one direction on Paulista Ave., one of Sao Paulo’s main thoroughfares.

One of the protesters shot off a fireworks rocket at the site and when police tried to arrest him other activists faced off against the officers.

The demonstrators destroyed a mobile police booth and officers used tear gas to disperse them.

The initial report from authorities was that at least five people were arrested after police intervened.

The MTST and other social organizations have scheduled a national day of protest on June 10 against Temer, who served as vice president until May 12, when he took over for the suspended Rousseff.

Rousseff will be tried in the Senate for alleged fiscal manipulation to obscure the true balances in various public accounts. EFE

Active President Temer Fortifies Home

Sao Paulo, Jun 1 (EFE).- Brazil‘s acting president, Michel Temer, put a fence around his home in Sao Paulo to prevent protesters gathered in the vicinity from harassing his family.

The measure, authorities said, was taken on Tuesday to “strengthen” the security surrounding the family of the interim president after on May 22 riot police dispersed a demonstration before Temer’s house.

Vehicle traffic along the street where Temer’s residence stands in the well-to-do Alto do Pinheiros neighborhood, was also restricted and part of the park in front of his house was fenced off to prevent demonstrators from camping there.

Police officers and members of the presidential security detachment are posted in front of the home, where Temer usually spends the weekends and his younger son and his wife live.

The decision to strengthen Temer’s security was made by Gen. Sergio Etchegoyen and Sao Paulo state Gov. Geraldo Alckmin in keeping with a law that authorizes such measures if needed to protect a president or his relatives.

Temer had served as vice president until May 12, when he assumed the presidency for a 180-day period during which President Dilma Rousseff, recently suspended from her post, will be placed on trial in Congress, a move that could result in her ouster if she is found guilty.

Ten days later, a group of demonstrators camped out before Temer’s residence, painted anti-government messages on neighboring homes and even set fire to trash cans to prevent the passage of vehicles and faced off against the police, who used tear gas to disperse them. EFE