BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Thousands of Indigenous people marched on Thursday in Brazil’s capital, calling on the government to officially recognize lands they have lived on for centuries and to protect territories from criminal activities such as illegal mining.
With posters bearing messages like “The future is Indigenous,” they walked towards Three Powers Square, where Congress, the Supreme Court and the Planalto presidential palace are located in Brasilia.
A group of Indigenous leaders entered the palace to talk to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, while others shouted toward the building: “Our rights are not negotiable.” Last week, he backed down from the creation of four Indigenous territories, citing opposition from state governors.
In addition to calls for more land recognition, some tribes protested a proposed 950-kilometer (590 miles) rail project to transport soybeans from the state of Mato Grosso, in the central part of the country, to ports along the Tapajos River, a large Amazon tributary.
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
Queen Camilla praises Kate Middleton
'He's almost like a LEAGUE TWO player': Roy Keane slams Erling Haaland for his display in City's 0
JULIE BURCHILL: Why I spread rumours about Kate
Cruise worker 'murders newborn son on board ship': Shocked co
Should you put 'magic' mushrooms in your coffee?
First look: Prince Andrew 'car crash' interview with Emily Maitlis film trailer released by Netflix
This Might Not Be It review: Behind the Perspex partition
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
Australian pilot kidnapped in Papua New Guinea's highlands