Thousands of Indigenous people marched in Brazil’s capital, calling on the government to officially recognise lands they have lived on for centuries and to protect territories from criminal activities such as illegal mining.
With posters bearing messages such as “The future is Indigenous”, they walked on Thursday 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 Inacio Lula da Silva, while others shouted outside the building: “Our rights are not negotiable.” Last week, he backed down from the creation of four Indigenous territories, citing opposition from state governors.
Thursday’s rally marked the culmination of the annual Free Land Indigenous Camp, now in its 20th edition. Unlike the two previous years, the president was not invited to visit the camp, set up in Brasilia’s main esplanade.