A familiar shadowy figure has been sighted at Rio de Janeiro's many anti-World Cup protests – Batman. The Dark Knight has been making regular appearances at demonstrations since mass protests broke out around the time the city hosted the Confederations Cup in 2013.

Batman joins a protest near the former site of the Museum of the Indian outside Maracana stadium on December 17, 2013, as firefighters attempted to remove an indigenous man who spent more than 26 hours in a tree to protest against the demolition of the si
Batman joins a protest near the former site of the Indian Museum outside Maracana stadium on 17 December 2013, as firefighters attempt to remove an indigenous man who spent more than 26 hours in a tree to protest against the demolition of the site ahead of the World Cup. Reuters
Batman watches over Rio from the Carioca Aqueduct on October 31, 2013
Batman watches over Rio from the Carioca Aqueduct on 31 October 2013. Getty
The Dark Knight holds a placard reading We want education, health, schools and hospitals at Fifa standards on May 15, 2014
The Dark Knight holds a placard reading: 'We want education, health, schools and hospitals at Fifa standards' on 15 May 2014. AFP

The man behind the mask is not billionaire Bruce Wayne, but dental technician Eron Morais de Melo, wearing a homemade costume.

He has joined mass demonstrations against Fifa and has also called on Dilma Rousseff's government to give more rights to Brazil's indigenous people.

Eron Morais de Melo, a dental technician, poses for a photograph in his self-made costume at the entrance to the Metro favela in Rio on January 10, 2014
Eron Morais de Melo, a dental technician, poses for a photograph in his self-made costume at the entrance to the Metro favela in Rio on 10 January 2014. AFP
Children throng around Eron Morais de Melo, disguised as Batman, at the Favela do Metro slum area near the Maracana stadium in Rio on January 9, 2014. Families living in this shantytown were refusing to have their homes demolished as part of a project to
Children throng around Eron Morais de Melo, disguised as Batman, at the Favela do Metro slum area near the Maracana stadium in Rio on 9 January 2014. Families living in this shantytown were refusing to have their homes demolished as part of a project to renovate the district before the World Cup. AFP
Indigenous leader Korobo speaks with Eron Morais de Melo, aka Batman, during a protest demanding more government support for Brazils indigenous people, on October 4, 2013
Indigenous leader Korobo speaks with Eron Morais de Melo, aka Batman, during a protest demanding more government support for Brazil's indigenous people, on 4 October 2013. AFP
Batman, wearing a traditional indigenous headdress, joins a protest against proposed constitutional amendment PEC 215, which amended the rules for demarcation of indigenous lands
Batman, wearing a traditional indigenous headdress, joins a protest against proposed constitutional amendment PEC 215, amending the rules for demarcation of indigenous lands. Reuters

Many people have tried to persuade him to become a politician, but he said he doesn't want to be a part of the system he's fighting against.

He told AFP photographer Yasuyoshi Chiba that he dresses as Batman because the character is a symbol of the struggle against oppression.

De Melo said in his opinion Brazil is a dictatorship posing as a democracy, and he will continue to appear at protests as the Caped Crusader until people get the housing, education and health they need.

Batman
Batman joins forces with Guy Fawkes and members of Brazil's Black Bloc during an anti-Fifa protest in Rio during the opening match of the 2014 World Cup. Getty
Batman shouts during a protest by anarchist group Black Bloc against the World Cup on May 30, 2014
Batman shouts during a protest by anarchist group Black Bloc against the World Cup on May 30, 2014 AFP
The Superhero joins forces with Latin American hero Ernesto Che Guevara during a Guy Fawkes Day protest in Rio on November 5, 2013
The Superhero joins forces with Latin American hero Che Guevara during a Guy Fawkes Day protest in Rio on 5 November 2013. AFP
Batman gestures with a national flag at a protest on Brazils Independence Day in Rio, September 7, 2013
Batman gestures with a national flag at a protest on Independence Day, 7 September 2013, in Rio. Reuters
Batman marches during a teachers protest demanding better working conditions, on October 7, 2013
Batman marches during a teachers' protest demanding better working conditions, on 7 October 2013. AFP
The Caped Crusader stands with a sign on the Carioca Aqueduct during a protest against the 2014 World Cup on June 12, 2014
The Caped Crusader stands with a sign on the Carioca Aqueduct during a protest against the 2014 World Cup on 12 June 2014. Reuters
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