RIO DE JANEIRO (dpa-AFX) – During protests against the dredging of rivers in the Amazon region, Brazilian natives have occupied the river port of the US agricultural company Cargill in the north of the country. The company announced that operations near Santarém in the state of Pará were completely interrupted. The employees were evacuated from the area.
“We are here because we defend our right to exist,” said a statement from the organization Conselho Indígena Tapajós e Arapiuns (Cita), which represents 14 indigenous population groups, after the occupation. The indigenous people denounce the “privatization” of the Amazon rivers because it would threaten their livelihoods. The rivers are strategically important for companies to export grain and raw materials.
Cargill spoke of a violent action after a court order ordered the blockade to be lifted. In addition, demonstrators severely damaged the facade of Cargill’s headquarters in the city of Sao Paulo.
There have been protests at the terminal for a month
Indigenous people have been blocking vehicle access to the grain terminal for a month. A federal court ordered Brazilian authorities on Wednesday to remove the blockade within 48 hours. The terminal was occupied early Saturday morning local time.
Among the main demands of indigenous organizations is the repeal of a Brazilian government decree passed in August that would allow private concessions and infrastructure projects in three Amazon waterways./aso/DP/zb
