Brazil’s Indigenous people protest as lawmakers vote to limit their land rights

Guarani Indigenous block Bandeirantes highway to protest proposed legislation that would change the policy that demarcates Indigenous lands on the outskirts of Sao Paulo.

Ettore Chiereguini/AP

RIO DE JANEIRO — Lawmakers in Brazil approved a proposal that opponents argue will gut Indigenous land rights and environmental protection.

The fast-track approval highlights the strength of Brazil’s powerful agriculture industry. Indigenous leaders vow more protests.

The law sailed through Brazil’s lower house of Congress late Tuesday and is expected to pass the Senate. Among its provisions, it will limit the creation of new Indigenous reserves to lands that were only occupied by native people in 1988. That’s the promulgation date of Brazil’s latest constitution.

Indigenous leaders blocked a major highway in protest of the proposed legislation. Many held signs saying “we existed before 1988.” They clashed with police, using bows and arrows at security forces, who dispersed the crowd with water cannons and tear gas.

Guarani Indigenous people block the Bandeirantes highway with burning tires to protest proposed legislation that would change the policy that demarcates Indigenous lands on the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil.

Ettore Chiereguini/AP

Opponents of the law say many tribes were expelled from their lands during Brazil’s military dictatorship, which ended in 1985, and they hadn’t returned to lands until years later.

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