Thousands in Brazil Rally to Demand President’s Impeachment

Thousands of Brazilians marched Sunday to demand that Congress impeach President Dilma Rousseff, whose government is plagued by an overwhelming corruption scandal and a dismal economy.

A woman holds a sign that reads "Dilma Out" during a demonstration for the impeachment of Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. Dozens of cities are staging protests across Brazil asking Congress to impeach President Dilma Rousseff. Thousands have gathered Sunday in cities such as Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo wearing the Brazilian flag colors. They are holding banners that criticize the president and her Workers' Party for a series of massive corruption scandal. AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo

RIO DE JANEIRO—Thousands of Brazilians marched Sunday to demand that Congress impeach President Dilma Rousseff, whose government is plagued by an overwhelming corruption scandal and a dismal economy.

The protests were held in dozens of places including the capital of Brasilia and the opposition stronghold of Sao Paulo, but were considerably smaller than demonstrations earlier this year challenging Rousseff and her ruling Workers’ Party.

One difference this time around is that impeachment proceedings have already begun against Brazil’s president. Lower House Speaker Eduardo Cunha, a bitter rival of Rousseff, introduced a petition to impeach the president earlier this month. The Supreme Court suspended the discussion temporarily while it reviews how Congress formed the commission to debate the measure.

Demonstrators march holding a giant flag with the word "Impeachment" written on it, during a protest demanding the impeachment of Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. AP Photo/Andre Penner