SETH BORENSTEIN and ANTON L. DELGADO, Associated Press
BELEM, Brazil (AP) — About 100 protesters blocked the entrance to a U.N. climate conference on the edge of the Brazilian Amazon Friday morning.
The Brazilian military prevented demonstrators from entering the area during negotiations at the COP30 meeting in Belem, but there did not appear to be any physical confrontations with protesters.
Protesters wore clothing associated with indigenous groups, and some protesters formed a human chain around parts of the demonstration.
Conference participants were redirected, delegates entered the room through another door, and UN staff rushed to carry metal detectors to a side entrance as hundreds of people formed long, snaking lines.
Representatives of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change told conference participants that there was “no danger” in a peaceful demonstration outside the conference site.
The demonstration came after protests on Tuesday night in which Indigenous demonstrators clashed with security and forced their way into the entrance, causing minor injuries. Conference organizers touted the annual gathering as an opportunity for Indigenous people to gain more visibility and influence in climate negotiations.
