Belém, Brazil: Dozens of Indigenous protesters stormed the entrance of the COP30 climate summit in Belém on Tuesday, demanding strict action to protect forests and Indigenous lands. The situation turned chaotic and concerning as they clashed with security guards outside the venue, CNN reported.

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Protesters demand protection for the Amazon at COP30 climate summit

Shouting and holding up flags with messages like “Our land is not for sale,” the protesters pushed through security barriers at the venue. Protestors kept demanding land rights and an end to environmental destruction caused by industries such as mining and logging. “We can’t eat money,” said Gilmar, an Indigenous leader from the Tupinamba community near the Tapajos River, according to the CNN report. “We want our lands free from agribusiness, oil exploration, illegal miners, and illegal loggers,” he said. The protesters said they felt ignored despite being the original guardians of the Amazon rainforest.

Videos that surfaced on social media show security guards forming a barricade using tables to stop the crowd from entering the main UN compound, where thousands of delegates from around the world had gathered for the climate talks. A Reuters journalist on the scene reported that one security guard was seen being taken away in a wheelchair, clutching his stomach. Another got cut above his eye after being hit by a drumstick thrown from the crowd.

After the clash, the protesters dispersed, and the situation was brought under control. For a short time, delegates inside the compound were asked to remain indoors until the area was safe. 

UN and Brazilian security respond

A UN spokesperson, cited by CNN, confirmed the incident in a statement —“Earlier this evening, a group of protesters breached security barriers at the main entrance to the COP, causing minor injuries to two security staff and minor damage to the venue. Brazilian and UN security personnel took protective actions to secure the site, following all established security protocols. The venue is now fully secured, and COP negotiations continue.” Both the UN and Brazilian officials are investigating what happened.

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Why is the protest about?

The protests come amid growing anger among Indigenous groups over how environmental policies are being handled in Brazil. Communities say they’ve been ignored while their lands are being destroyed for industrial projects.

This year’s climate summit is already marred with controversies, more than 100,000 ancient Amazon trees were cut down to build a new multi-lane highway connecting to the summit venue. Critics have called it ironic, given that the event’s main goal is to protect the Amazon and fight climate change.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has made Indigenous participation a primary theme of this year’s COP30. He repeatedly said that Indigenous communities are important to protecting the Amazon rainforest and fighting climate change.

Earlier this week, dozens of Indigenous leaders arrived by boat to join the discussions. Many said they were frustrated with how little influence they had over forest management and how their lands were still threatened by development projects.

In a separate interview, Chief Raoni Metuktire, one of Brazil’s most respected Indigenous leaders, urged the government to give native communities more power to defend the Amazon. “If you want to save the forest, listen to those who have protected it for centuries,” he said.