Demonstrators in Brazil have tried to regain the energy of June's massive street protests with rallies on the country's independence day, but efforts fizzled with low turnout.
A few thousand protesters marched in the capital, Brasilia, a few hundred in Rio de Janeiro, and rallies were held in several other cities on Saturday, but the turnout was a tiny fraction of what was seen several months ago, when more than a million people took to the streets as the country hosted the football Confederations Cup.
Brazil remains in the international spotlight as it prepares to host the World Cup next year and the Olympics in 2016.
Protesters are angry at the millions being spent on the sporting events, funds they argue would be better used to improve transportation, education and health services for poor Brazilians.
Security was heightened across Brazil's cities on Saturday in anticipation of the protests, especially in Brasilia, where President Dilma Rousseff participated without incident in the traditional military parade.
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After the parade, about 2000 anti-corruption protesters marched to congress and clashed with police.
Authorities had warned masked demonstrators would be detained and identified, a measure already in place in Rio that is aimed at discouraging vandalism.
"We want better education, political reforms and media democratisation. The June protests served to push Congress to approve measures - we have to keep them alive," student Philip Leite told AFP.
Hundreds of protesters, many wearing masks, also tried to break the police cordon surrounding the capital's World Cup Mane Garrincha stadium, as ticket holders entered nearly two hours before a friendly between Brazil and Australia.
Police dispersed the protesters with tear gas, while the demonstrators threw stones at the security forces and swarmed in and around the stadium, with police in pursuit.
At least 24 people were arrested, authorities said, and at least four people were injured.
Police in the capital also attacked a group of reporters with pepper spray - including an AFP photographer who needed medical attention - who had came out in support of a reporter who was hurt earlier by a police dog.
In Rio, around 100 protesters, some masked, stormed on to the downtown avenue where the military was parading, shouting slogans and clashing with police.
Security forces fired tear gas, prompting nearby spectators, many of them families with children, to flea the fumes.
Thirteen people were injured, according to health authorities, and police said at least 24 protesters were arrested.
Police chased several protesters who escaped through side streets, shooting rubber bullets, according to local news site G1.
At least one bank branch near the demonstration was vandalised, it added.
Later, several hundred protesters continued the demonstration in the city centre under heavy police surveillance.
Demonstrations, many of them peaceful, were also held in Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, and several other cities.
