The Indigenous resistance in Brazil – in photos

by Diego Gonzaga

The sun hadn’t risen in the sky yet when the first groups of Indigenous Peoples arrived last week in Brasília, the capital of Brazil. Slowly, the silence of the night was broken by the sounds of music, dances and Indigenous rituals. That is how the 15th Free Land Camp began. This year, the largest Indigenous mobilisation in the world brought more than four thousand Indigenous Peoples together to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and most importantly, resist and fight for their rights.

April 24th – Day 1

Indigenous Peoples who have traveled hundreds of kilometres assemble to support each other and fight together for their rights in the capital of Brazil. © Christian Braga / MNI

An Indigenous man paints himself at the Free Land Camp, the largest Indigenous mobilisation in the world. © Christian Braga / MNI

At the end of the first day, thousands of Indigenous People formed a 8-metre high and 60-metre long light image that spelled “Justice”. The intervention calls on the Brazilian government to fulfill their duty and protect the Indigenous Peoples constitutional rights. © Leo Otero / MNI

April 25th – Day 2

On the second day of the Free Land Camp, Indigenous leaders met with government officials to demand the government to protect their lands. When President Bolsonaro took office in January 1st in Brazil this year, the new administration has taken measures to weaken environmental protection laws, directly affecting the lands and the lives of Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous People speak at the Senate in Brasília, Brazil. © Christian Braga / MNI

Indigenous leader in front of the House of Congress in Brasília, Brazil. © Christian Braga / MNI

Indigenous People hold “Resist” signs and signs demanding the official recognition of the lands. © Christian Braga / MNI

April 26th – Day 3

Every year, on the last day of the Indigenous assembly, a traditional march takes place to show the world the magnitude of the gathering and the strength of those who have been fighting for their rights for hundreds of years. After an intense week, Indigenous Peoples showed the world that they will continue to resist and fight for their rights in a peaceful way.

Indigenous Peoples march in Brasília holding a sign saying “Indigenous Blood – Not even one more drop”. © Christian Braga / MNI

Indigenous women stand in line on the last day of the Free Land Camp. © Christian Braga / MNI

Indigenous men stand in line during the march in Brasília, capital of Brazil. © Christian Braga / MNI

All over the world, extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts and floods are becoming stronger and more destructive. If we want to avoid climate chaos, we must not allow deforestation to continue. Indigenous Peoples are on the frontlines protecting the forest, facing violence and being threatened. We must protect those who protect the planet for all of us.
Join the movement to stand with the guardians of the forest.

about the author

Diego Gonzaga

Diego Gonzaga is a content editor for Greenpeace International based in San Francisco, US.