"We must never give up, because we are fighting for a right that is ours!” Kayapó leader Raoni participated yesterday (August 10) at the protest camp “In Defense of the Xingu: against Belo Monte!”, at Altamira, Pará, reiterating his continuing resistance against the dam.

 

By Cleymenne Cerqueira

From Altamira (PA)

 

"Nature is life, it has sustained us until today, so we have to defend it as father and mother who gives us life,” stated Raoni, the Kayapo leader that conquered the world in the eighties when touring with rock singer Sting, in his emotional speech to the over 500 participants of the Altamira protest meeting, yesterday afternoon (August 10). The meeting unites indigenous leaders from all over the Amazon region, as well as riverine people and family farmers, threatened by the construction of dams like Belo Monte and Jirau.

 

He continued saying indigenous peoples must not accept the demands of president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, or of anyone else who will rule the country: "We have to accept impositions from no one. I am against everything the government is willing to construct on our lands: highway, dams. I always fought for my people at your sides and I will continue fighting until the last day of my life.”

 

Legitimate

Raoni recognized that indigenous peoples have suffered with all the interference in their cultures and urged the fellow indigenous to strengthen the fight against Belo Monte and other large projects. “Every time we come together we strengthen our movement. We need not fear the police, the ranchers, anyone who is threatening our reserves, our nature."

 

For Raoni, this fight is not only a people of one nation but of society as a whole. "We must never give up, we have to hold your head up because we are fighting for a right that is ours. We have to show the Brazilian people that our struggle is legitimate to respect our rights, our traditions," he said.

 

At the end of his speech, he asks: “Is this what we really want, my friends? Do we stand together against Belo Monte?” The audience affirms in chorus, applauding.

 

Scientists

The protest camp against the construction of the hydroelectric plant of Belo Monte is mounted on the quays of river port of Altamira, in the Amazon state of Pará. It is thirty kilometers down the river where the main dam of Belo Monte is planned. Yesterday’s agenda featured strong debates about the impacts of major projects of the federal government for indigenous peoples, riverine and rural communities, all over the country. Although discussions are focused on Belo Monte, it is worth noting that the meeting is set up to discuss the infrastructural works planned by the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) for the whole country.

 

The afternoon was devoted to work group sessions. In one corner the Kayapo gathered, the Xavante in another. Spread over the area groups of indigenous leaders met, the many riverine people and farmers who participate in the mobilization.

Throughout the day, scientists and members of indigenous and social movements participating in the fight against Belo Monte circulated among the groups, answering questions, presenting data, research studies and opinions. The approximately 500 participants shared their experiences and difficulties encountered over the years provoked by numerous government projects, such as the Itaipu, Estreito and Tucurui hydroelectric, among others.

 

More dams needed for Belo Monte

The history of struggle and resistance against the construction of hydroelectric Belo Monte portrays the federal government’s “appreciation” of the indigenous peoples: omission, lack of dialogue and blunders mark the comings and goings of this project. The hydroelectric is planned to be built on the Xingu river and will affect thousands of families in the region of Altamira, in the state of Pará.

 

Several studies and reports of experts have confirmed that Belo Monte is not necessary and that it will bring disastrous consequences for the environment, as well as for the culture and traditions of the traditional communities in the region. However, the State pretends not to see this information, and ignores the actions of various social movements against the venture.

 

"The major criticism is that Belo Monte will not stop with only one dam. Rather, the government will continue saying that more and more dams will be needed to generate energy for the country. Indeed, the goal is to transform the Xingu in a major waterway, meanwhile wiping out means of survival and income generation of many families, like fishing,” stated Guilherme de Carvalho, representative of the Federation of Organs for Social and Educational Assistance (FASE).

 

For him, it is important to stress that the fight against Belo Monte is a fighting against a block (government, parliament, some social movements, NGOs and leaders) that touts the developmental project of the government.

 

"Given the constant denial of the government, of the mainstream media, of this whole block, the only way left is to unite, mobilize leaders and exert social pressure, which is precisely what is happening here. We are not against the development of the country, we are against this development model that puts in the hands of a few the many great natural resources of the country and that tramples human rights,” observes Carvalho.

 

He underlines once more that one can not confuse development with economic growth, which are two very different things. “The debate today is precisely about that. What kind of development we want, at what cost? We need to know what the economic growth is for and where it comes from.”

 

 

Documentary “Xingu: the blood of our survival”

Taking advantage of the gathering of various indigenous peoples, riverine people and representatives of social movements, the Movement of People Affected by Dams (MAB) launched the documentary “Xingu: the blood of our survival”.

 

The video produced by the MAB and released already in several events around the country shows the struggle and resistance of the peoples of the Xingu region against Belo Monte. The production brings about urgent denounces the abuse of water and energy while tracing parallels with the rights of peoples to have their customs, traditions, land respected.

To see the video (in portuguese) click here:  “Xingu: the blood of our survival”

Read more on the altamira meeting:

10/08/2010 – "The fight is not only against Belo Monte!"

03/02/2010 – Belo Monte “Pharonic project and generator of death” Special interview with Dom Erwin Kräutler