With the theme: "Taking back Brazil: Demarcating Territories and Allocating Politics", the 3rd Free Land Camp - 2022 began this Tuesday (5) in Boa Vista. The concentration takes place in the Civic Center square and follows the national mobilization of the indigenous movement, which takes place in Brasília until April 14, and already brings together more than 6 thousand indigenous people from 176 peoples.
In Boa Vista, on this first day of mobilization alone, about 400 indigenous leaders from the regions of Raposa, Serras, Baixo Cotingo, Murupú, Tabaio, Amajarí, Surumú, Serra da Lua, São Marcos, Yanomami and Wai Wai participated. The movement has a large participation of traditional leaders, young people, women and children.
In the morning, there were speeches, parichara dances, smoking with the maruai and finally the reading of the ATL Open Letter. There was also an act in front of the monument to the miner, when leaders said "NO TO PL 191, NO TO PL 490 AND NO TO THE TIME FRAME", and repudiated other situations that violate and disrespect the rights of the original peoples of Brazil.
During the afternoon, leaders walked to the headquarters of the National Indian Foundation (Funai), where they were initially not received. As a result, the movement occupied the space peacefully until the moment they were attended by coordinator Osmar Tavares de Melo.
A document was delivered to Funai demanding immediate actions by the agency for the removal of illegal miners from indigenous lands, the recognition of territorial rights and the protection of territories to guarantee the life, customs, traditions and good living of indigenous peoples.
One of the traditional leaders of Roraima, Mr. Clóvis Ambrósio, from the Wapichana people, and coordinator of the Serra da Lua region, highlighted the importance of the ATL, the struggle and resistance of indigenous peoples over the years in Brazil.
"Today we are in the 3rd ATL here in Roraima, but we don't know how many and how many we are still going to do. We are here in a very strong cause for us. From the 70s until now, we have already achieved many things. We are not here just to go for a walk, we came to tell the authorities that we are very thoughtful about everything that is against us, especially these bills that are being processed. Because none of them comes to strengthen our rights, but rather wants to take away. Since 1500 we have been treated like this, with discrimination, with destruction of our land and our population," said Clovis.
The leader also reinforced that the indigenous people still live today because of their strength and traditional knowledge.
"God wants us to still live here on this earth happy. Because we have never been sad, no matter how much we suffer, we are always happy. I am very happy with our youth who today are assuming this responsibility as leaders, strong and for everything they need in defense of our land and our rights. Our lands are still there, nature for us to resist, our rivers, our forests. But with all this situation that is going on, maybe we will see how our territories will be, all polluted, everything destroyed and we don't want that. But we will overcome all this and with God's help, He will strengthen us so that we can have this journey and in this fight for the good living of all our indigenous population, not only in Roraima, but in Brazil. We are going to fight, all united we are very strong", he concluded.
The ATL aims to mobilize peoples, debate agendas on territory, health, education, among other rights that are threatened. A delegation of leaders from Roraima also participates in the mobilization in Brasilia.