(Protestors gather in Sao Paolo on June 18, 2013/ Alex Almeida, Creative Commons)

What started out as an outcry over increase in bus fares, has developed into what many claim to be a social movement, as protestors in Sao Paolo took to the streets on Wednesday. 

Met by police force, tear gas, and pepper spray, protestors expressed anger against government corruption, a weak education system, and the high cost of living. 

"I love soccer, but we need schools," said Evaldir Cardoso, a protestor, to The New York Times.

Despite the increase in public spending for the upcoming World Cup in 2014 and summer 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, protestors still claimed that it simply was not enough.  

Fundamentally, protestors were infuriated by the government's neglectful attitude toward the needs of their people, The New York Times reported.  

Brazil's long-heralded economic boom as a member of the BRICS—a group of countries that have rapidly developed economically, which include: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—may be coming to an end. High inflation, declining currency, corruption, a poor education system, among other plights have weighed heavily on the Brazilian people in recent years.   

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The United Nations has strongly urged the Brazilian authorities to restrain from using excessive force. 

“We call on the Government of Brazil to take all necessary measures to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly and to prevent the disproportionate use of force during protests,” Rupert Colville, the spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in UN News Centre report. “We further call on authorities to conduct prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into reported excessive force.”

Some also worry that the protests will negatively impact Brazil's preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Rio Olympics in 2016. 

According to CNN, the protests complicate the FIFA World Cup, which is already behind schedule. While The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has expressed support for "peaceful protest" in Brazil. 

"The Olympic Games in 2016 will bring significant benefits to the whole population of Rio, improving the city in terms of transport, infrastructure and social housing, as well as bringing a considerable sporting legacy for Brazil," the IOC said in an ESPN report. "We are always fully supportive of peaceful protest and remain confident in the ability of the Games as a powerful catalyst for improving the world through sport." 

ALSO SEE: Explaining Brazil's protest movement with photos and tweets 

ALSO SEE: Will the Protests Change Brazil?

Reach Staff Reporter Shoko Oda here.