Facing protests in Brasília, court ratifies agreement banning traditional indigenous weapons

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Various indigenous movements in the country are preparing to assemble a large camp in Brasilia in the next few days, where leaders of different ethnic groups will gather to protest against projects being discussed in Congress that are questioned in lawsuits at the Federal Supreme Court (STF).

The mobilization, scheduled to take place between the August 22 and 28, prompted the Federal Court in Brasilia to negotiate with the movement’s leaders and the Federal District Military Police to avoid confrontations in the federal capital.

The agreement was ratified Wednesday (18) by Federal Judge Waldemar Claudio de Carvalho. “The defendant parties undertake not to carry instruments such as bows and arrows, nails, and spears during the marches and demonstrations that will take place during this period, unless they are of a purely cultural and/or religious nature,” the judge said.

“The strict visual control of these instruments is carried out by the State Police (MP) of the Federal District, which is responsible for the external control of the camp. To enable this control, the parties undertake to establish direct contact between the MP and the organization of the camp, through the establishment of a WhatsApp group supervised and monitored by representatives of the public prosecutor’s office and the DPU,” the magistrate said.

“The resumption of the vote on the bill to demarcate indigenous territories in Brazil is scheduled for August 25. The mobilization was announced by indigenous leaders to “stop the anti-indigenous agenda that is still on the agenda of the National Congress and the Supreme Court.”

“For 521 years, this country has been marked by desecration, racism, and genocide. For centuries, attempts have been made to subjugate peoples, cultures, and territories. Today, when it is not only guns that tear bodies apart: pens sign laws that exterminate,” the association added.

“When it’s not just criminals attacking directly, governments neglect their duty to protect. And no matter how much the struggles may overlap, we will not allow it,” declares the Association of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib) in a communication calling for the camp.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error