On a day the entire world fixated on the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, dozens of protestors gathered near a subway station to begin a march toward the Corinthians Arena where the World Cup was hours from kickoff Thursday.

But the city's police had a different plan in mind for the protesters as they fired tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to break up the anti-World Cup demonstration, Al Jazeera reported.

The protestors held a red banner that read "if we have no rights, there won't be a Cup."

Reuters reported that five people were injured during the chaos that ensued.

At least one protestor was arrested about six hours prior to the opening game between Brazil and Croatia, Globo News, a local TV station, reported.

Ground staff at Rio de Janeiro's airports began a strike Thursday but the workers said they would maintain at least 80 percent of service amid growing concerns that it would cause delays during a time when thousands of soccer fans are expected to arrive.

According to Al Jazeera the union is demanding better working conditions, a 12 percent raise and a bonus during the World Cup games.

"After nine months of intense but failed negotiations and intransigence from employers, the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Airports Employees' Union confirms it will strike on June 12," announced the union.

A Brazilian labor court issued an injunction against the unions ordering them to pay fines upward of $22,400 a day unless staffing remains at 80 percent of normal levels.

Brazil's subway workers' union organized a weeklong strike that began last Thursday but was halted for two days beginning Monday night after a run-in with the police. The riot officers used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up the protest because the government ruled the strike was illegal.

Monday's riots resulted in broken windows along the city's streets as others overturned busses and set them ablaze.

On Wednesday, however, the subway worker's union voted against resuming its five-day strike.