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Brazilian police urge to cancel New Year beach party for security concerns

Xinhua, December 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

Brazil police and firefighters Wednesday called on the authority of Rio de Janeiro to cancel the traditional beachfront New Year's Eve celebration for security concerns.

In a letter to local and regional authorities, Adalberto de Souza, president of the Association of Active and Retired Military Police Officers and Firefighters, said the situation was a time bomb.

Predicting potential "violent" protests sparked by "the serious economic, political and financial crisis," de Souza said the annual gathering, which drew thousands of revelers to the city's famed Copacabana Beach, should be called off.

"Anticipating the possibility of demonstrations which, given the number of people involved, could turn violent and harmful for those present, we recommend canceling the entertainment and fireworks show put on by the city of Rio de Janeiro," the letter read.

De Souza cited the "innumerable protests" in recent months by civil servants who have not received their salaries, and others protesting proposed layoffs announced by the state government.

Just two months before the Rio Olympic Games, the state government declared a "financial emergency" in June.

Rio, Brazil's leading tourist destination, was expected to receive some 2 million people, including 865,000 tourists, to attend the celebration on the night of Dec. 31. Endi