Indigenous Groups Protest at COP30 in Brazil over Land and Climate Concerns

On November 11, a group of indigenous protesters entered the COP30 climate summit site in Belém, Brazil, resulting in confrontations with security. The COP30 summit is happening in the Amazon.

The protesters are calling for quick action on climate change and forest protection. Their requests focus on land rights and keeping their areas safe from agribusiness, oil drilling, illegal gold mining, and illegal logging. Some protesters displayed signs that read, Our land is not for sale.

A leader from the Tupinamba community said during the protest, We can't eat money. We want our lands free from agribusiness, oil extraction, illegal gold miners, and loggers.

During the confrontation at the entrance, two security guards had minor injuries. Guards took sticks from the protesters, escorted them out, and blocked the entrance with tables. The protesters left soon after the clash.

This event shows the worries of local communities. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has said that indigenous people are very important in this year's COP30 talks. Many local community leaders had earlier arrived in Belém by boat, asking for more involvement in how forests are managed.