Brazil taxi drivers block streets and avenues protesting against Uber

Taxi drivers block a street to protest the Uber ride-sharing service outside city council headquarters in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015, before a second vote by the city council that would ban Uber. To prevent the expansion of Uber elsewhere in the country, some city councils in other state capitals have laws pending approval to ban the service. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) (The Associated Press)

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Taxi drivers block a street to protest the Uber in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015, hours before a second vote is expected by the city council that would ban the ride-sharing service. Rio de Janeiro's city council has banned Uber, but Mayor Eduardo Paes must still ratify it. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) (The Associated Press)

Taxi drivers block a street to protest the Uber ride-sharing service in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015, before a second vote by the city council on a measure that would ban Uber in the city. Cab drivers complain Uber is unfair competition because its drivers don't have to pay city fees or undergo official inspections. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) (The Associated Press)

SAO PAULO – Thousands of taxi drivers are blocking streets and avenues in Brazil's largest city to protest against the Uber ride-sharing service.

The protest is taking place as Sao Paulo's city council prepares for a required second vote on a measure that would ban Uber in the city of 12 million.

Mayor Fernando Haddad would have to ratify the measure before it takes effect.

In its first vote on June 30, the council voted 48-1 to prohibit the use of smartphone-based services such as Uber.

Rio de Janeiro's city council has banned Uber, but Mayor Eduardo Paes must still ratify it.

Uber has been banned in Brasilia and Belo Horizonte, the only other two cities where the service is present.