In a powerful display of unity and activism, thousands of people took to the streets of Belem, Brazil, the host city of COP30, demanding climate justice and urgent action. This Indigenous-led protest, known as the 'Great People's March', was a vibrant and passionate call to protect the Amazon and address the devastating impacts of climate change.
The protest, which took place under the scorching sun, featured pounding music, singing, and chanting by Indigenous people and activists. One of the most striking moments was a giant beach ball of Earth being rolled through the city, symbolizing the need for global action. The demonstration also included a mock funeral procession for fossil fuels, with participants dressed in black and carrying three coffins marked with the words 'coal', 'oil', and 'gas', highlighting the urgency of phasing out these harmful energy sources.
This was a significant protest, as it was the first large-scale demonstration outside a United Nations climate summit in years, with the previous three gatherings held in locations with limited tolerance for protests. The timing of the protest was crucial, coming at the halfway point of the challenging negotiations, following two Indigenous-led protests that had already disrupted the proceedings.
The protesters' demands were clear and compelling. They called for 'reparations' for the damages caused by corporations and governments, especially to marginalized communities. Benedito Huni Kuin, a 50-year-old member of the Huni Kuin Indigenous group, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, 'Today we are witnessing a massacre as our forest is being destroyed.' He added, 'We want to make our voices heard from the Amazon and demand results. We need more Indigenous representatives at COP to defend our rights.'
The march, which covered 4.5 kilometers through the city, ended a few blocks from the COP30 venue, where authorities deployed soldiers to ensure the safety of the site. Inside the venue, COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago acknowledged the lack of progress in the first week of negotiations, urging diplomats to avoid time-wasting tactics. The negotiations were characterized by ongoing disagreements over trade measures and weak climate targets, with a critical showdown looming over the demand for wealthy nations to triple their financial support to poorer states for adaptation.
