Dozens of Indigenous protesters, some holding babies, peacefully blocked the entrance to the UN climate summit in Brazil on Friday to demand a meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and discuss their plight in the Amazon.
The human barrier of around 60 men and women, most in traditional garb and headdresses, lasted about two hours and prompted the head of COP30, Brazilian diplomat Andre Correa do Lago, to come out to see them.
It was the second time this week that Indigenous protesters disrupted the United Nations climate negotiations, which is being attended by tens of thousands of delegates from around the world.
This time, attendees were requested to go in through a side entrance after passing a checkpoint manned by soldiers.
“Fighting for our territories is fighting for our lives,” read a banner held by one demonstrator from the Munduruku tribe in protest against major infrastructure projects in the Amazon region.
“We demand to see President Lula, but unfortunately we aren’t succeeding, as usual,” said one woman, who also called for meetings with Environment Minister Marina Silva and Sonia Guajajara, the minister for Indigenous Peoples.
“We have never been heard,” she said.
Correa do Lago and COP30 CEO Ana Toni later left with the protesters to talk to them in a court near the COP30 site. Correa do Lago told AFP that Silva and Guajajara would be there, too.
“We must absolutely listen to them,” Correa do Lago told reporters.
– ‘No danger’ –
There was “no danger” posed by this “peaceful demonstration,” the UN said in a message to attendees.
Once it was over, the thousands of attendees waiting outside in the baking sun were able to get into the venue through the main gate.
Brazil on Thursday defended security at COP30 after concerns were raised earlier this week over the previous demonstration.
On Tuesday evening, Indigenous protesters and their supporters stormed the negotiation venue and clashed with guards in scenes rarely witnessed at a UN climate conference.
When asked by AFP on Thursday about the possible need for additional security measures in Belem, Correa do Lago replied: “No need, it was really a minor incident.”
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