Brazilian police clash with protesters outside Congress

RIO DE JANEIRO – Police in Brazil’s capital have clashed with protesters during a demonstration outside Congress while lawmakers considered legislation that has angered some Brazilians.

Police fired tear gas trying to drive off protesters, who overturned cars and smashed windows.

Thousands of people joined in the Tuesday evening demonstration in Brasilia as senators planned to vote on a bill to cap government spending. The lower Chamber of Deputies was considering controversial anti-corruption legislation.

Brazil has Latin America’s largest economy and is struggling with its worst recession in decades.

The protests came on the same day the country learned that nearly the entire squad of a Brazilian soccer team died in a plane crash in Colombia. President Michel Temer declared three days of national morning, but both congressional chambers decided to meet.