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.
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
JENNI MURRAY: The Cass Report is a voice of reason on trans dogma that must not be ignored
Ashley Roberts puts on a leggy display in a tiny mini
Masterful meals: Masterchef 2010 champion Dhruv Baker's cherry and hazelnut chocolate roulade
Jessica Biel CHOPS her long locks into a bob after book signing in Studio City
Robin Goodfellow's racing tips: Best bets for Friday, April 12
‘An immortal of our incredible game’
Should you put 'magic' mushrooms in your coffee?
Ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse has been refloated
Return to sender! Bizarre items that arrived in the post and left people terrified
Biden says Brown v. Board of Education ruling was about more than education
Return to sender! Bizarre items that arrived in the post and left people terrified