Demonstration Fights Against Legislative Proposals That Threaten Indigenous Lands and Amazon Protection

Thousands of people gathered in Brazil’s capital, Brasília, to protest against a set of environmental bills they believe pose a grave threat to the country’s ecosystems. The protest, called by musician Caetano Veloso, was organized to oppose five key pieces of legislation being discussed in Congress. Known as the “death combo” by activists, the bills propose commercial mining on indigenous lands, reduce environmental regulations, and loosen restrictions on pesticide use, which would significantly endanger Brazil’s natural resources, including the Amazon rainforest.

With the Senate set to vote on three of the bills, and the lower house considering two more, there is growing concern about the impact these laws would have on deforestation, land rights, and the livelihoods of indigenous communities. Protesters, including jeweller Janaína Fernandes, denounced the bills as “ecocide” and rallied against the environmental devastation they believe would follow if the legislation passes.

These protests reflect wider opposition to President Jair Bolsonaro’s policies, which critics say have emboldened illegal loggers and land grabbers in the Amazon and led to unprecedented levels of deforestation.