Rio Gripped by Protests as Olympics Go Into Full Swing (PHOTO)

The opening event of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was marred as thousands of protesters took to the streets, decrying the policies of the interim government.

The protests began immediately after the Olympic torch relay ceremony and lasted for several hours into the night.

The protesters, disaffected with the interim government, congregated at the famous Copacabana Beach.

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Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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© Sputnik

Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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© Sputnik

Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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© Sputnik

Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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© Sputnik

Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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© Sputnik

Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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© Sputnik

Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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© Sputnik

Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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© Sputnik

Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

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© Sputnik

Residents of Rio de Janeiro protest against interim president Michel Temer, political upheaval, corruption and the cost of the Rio 2016 Olympics Games

The protesters demanded the resignation of interim president Michel Temer, declaring that the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff was nothing but a thinly veiled coup attempt.

The Olympic Games has done little to ease national tensions, as many Brazilians are outraged by the fact that their country is hosting such an expensive event in spite of an ongoing economic crisis.