Marching to the beat of pounding sound systems, thousands of climate protesters have been bringing their message to the gates of the COP30 climate talks in Brazil. Chanting and singing 'free the Amazon', demonstrators in host city Belém have been carrying three giant coffins reading 'Oil, Coal and Gas' flanked by two grim reapers. Indigenous groups displayed signs reading 'the answer is us' as an inflatable elephant and anaconda weaved through the crowd under the hot sun. This is the first time since 2021 that protesters have been allowed to demonstrate outside the UN climate talks. 'We are holding a funeral for fossil fuels,' Tuga Cíntia told the BBC. She is from the theatre group Hydra Dance from the Federal University of Pará. 'I'm here because enough is enough with COP meetings and theory. It's time for us to actually act,' she said. Indigineous communities, Brazilian youth groups, and activists from across the world joined the march in their thousands. As the midday sun intensified, some sought shelter in a petrol station forecourt. 'Fossil fuels are still being burned. We know all too well what it's like to live on the frontline of climate change,' Brianna Fruean, a climate activist from Samoa, stated. Some carried signs reading 'demarcation now', calling for Indigenous groups to be given legal ownership of their territories. Security was tight at the COP30 venue as police with riot shields guarded the entrance. Negotiations continued at the COP30 talks with nearly 200 countries meeting to tackle climate change.
Massive Climate Protest at COP30: Activists Demand Action!
Massive Climate Protest at COP30: Activists Demand Action!
Thousands of climate activists marched in Belém, Brazil, during COP30, calling for urgent action against fossil fuels and for Indigenous rights.
In a vibrant display of unity, thousands of climate protesters marched outside the COP30 summit in Belém, Brazil, urging action against fossil fuels and advocating for Indigenous rights. The protest featured dramatic visuals, including giant coffins labeled 'Oil, Coal, and Gas', and messages emphasizing the urgency of climate action. Attendees voiced frustrations regarding the slow pace of meaningful change and the ongoing challenges posed by fossil fuels as negotiations at the summit continue. This marks a significant moment as the protest is one of the first allowed outside the climate talks since 2021, reflecting rising global consciousness around climate issues.
