Sao Paulo , Brazil ( CNN ) -- Brazilian police fired tear gas Thursday to hold back a small group trying to work its way through Sao Paulo to the Arena Corinthians stadium to protest the World Cup . At least one person was arrested , CNN 's Shasta Darlington reported from the scene , 7 miles ( about 11 kilometers ) from the stadium . Darlington and producer Barbara Arvanitidis were slightly injured when one of the canisters hit them . Darlington suffered a minor cut on her arm , and Arvanitidis was hit on the wrist . Critics are furious at the Brazilian government for spending $ 11 billion on the World Cup instead of low-income housing , hospitals and schools . A patchwork of plastic tents has appeared on an empty piece of land less than 2.5 miles ( about 4 kilometers ) from the World Cup stadium . More than 3,000 families have joined the squatter settlement known as the `` People 's Cup , '' hoping to use the global sporting event as a platform to pressure the government to provide low-income housing . Residents said rents began to soar when the stadium was being built . Rents in Sao Paulo have risen by double digits in recent years , far outpacing the increase in minimum wage , which is $ 360 a month in the city . In protests leading up to the games , the Homeless Workers Movement has become a major force in Sao Paulo , with marches of more than 10,000 . Weeks ago , there were violent protests in the lead-up to the World Cup . Demonstrations were staged in 18 cities last month . The biggest and most violent was in Sao Paulo , where police shot tear gas and protesters threw rocks and smashed the windows of a car dealership and a bank . Taking advantage of the global attention focused on the country for the world soccer championship , other groups have staged protests to air their grievances -- from striking teachers and police officers demanding higher wages to homeless activists . Brazil 2014 : Black Blocs to provide black mark ? Five things to get you ready for the World Cup . Who are the real winners and losers of the 2014 World Cup ?
At least one arrested as protesters make their way to World Cup stadium . Critics angry at Brazil 's government for spending $ 11 billion on World Cup . Protesters hope to pressure government to provide low-income housing .