The second day of COP30 was marked by a major protest erupting with hundreds of people from indigenous communities marching towards the Hangar Convention Centre, Belém, Brazil, and pushing their way into it. The Plurals was present during the demonstration that turned hostile but was eventually contained.
While protests near and even inside COP venues is not uncommon, demonstrators trying to force their way into a venue with hundreds of delegates and country officials inside is rare.
The marchers, mainly from indigenous communities in the Amazon forest area, shouting slogans against the Lulla government and big fossil fuel-centered businesses, targeted issues such as increased oil exploration, logging, mining and land grabbing,. They were finally stopped by the UN police. Reportedly two police persons were injured in the process. The Palestine flag could also be seen raised in the protest march.
While the COP administration did not officially say anything on the protests till Wednesday morning Belém time, the entry to the venue was closed down till 7am (3.30 pm IST), following the protests. Belém is located in the Amazon forest area.
During the protests, a crowd surged into the venue where the Minister of Cities of the Brazilian government was present, addressing the media about the country’s climate action plan.
Initially, security forces were found blocking the entrance, pushing back demonstrators waving yellow flags, but the UN security personnel adopted a more aggressive stance as the protests became stronger. A spokesperson for UN Climate Change intimated that the situation was eventually brought under control following the disruption.
Both Brazilian and UN security teams had put in place protective measures according to established protocols to secure the venue. Investigations into the incident are under way. Officials confirmed that the venue is now secure, allowing COP negotiations to proceed.
During the protests, the majority of the demonstrators donned traditional Indigenous attire and headgear.
They carried flags and banners with slogans such as “Our land is not for sale” and “We can’t eat money…We want our lands free from agribusiness, oil exploration, illegal mining and logging.” Additionally, the crowd called for a tax on billionaires for their role in the climate crisis, shouting slogans such as: “Lula government, shame on you, you are destroying the climate with this drilling.”
The entire region is experiencing the severe impact of climate change on health, just as the Amazon forest does, especially following the intense droughts and multiple fires that hit the area in 2024, the protesters said.