Porto Seguro, Brazil (April 22, 2000) – – Today the Indigenous, Black and Workers Movement united as “Brazil, The Other 500” experienced moments of terror. The march which marked the end of their protest was violently repressed by the military and mounted division of the Military Police of the State of Bahia on the orders of the State Governor and the Federal Government. The peaceful demonstration was organized by indigenous peoples and was attended by representatives of other social movements, Senators Marina Sila and Heloisa Helena, the President of the Worker’s Party, Jose Dirceu, the Bishop of Goias Velho, Tomas Balduino and the President of CIMI, Gianfranco Masserdotti.
The march started at 11.30 am. It headed towards Porto Seguro with the Xavante leading the 2000 marchers representing the 140 indigenous peoples who took part in the Indigenous Conference. The platoon of anti-riot forces were waiting the marchers 4Km on. Without any warning or provocation they attacked with tear gas and rubber bullets. The shots hit several indigenous leaders, children and other marchers. It is not known how many were injured. The National Health Foundation estimated that more than 30 people were slightly injured. A Xukuru Kariri indigenous man was burnt on both legs and six others were hospitalized.
The confrontation
There were moments of terror. According to the Conference organizers, the marchers were just beginning to pass the military when the anti-riot platoons at once charged shouting war cries and firing in the direction of the marchers.
Thirty missionaries were arrested. Judge Ailton Pinheiro, of Santa Cruz Cabralia parish, demanded their release. However, he to was arrested. Colonel Muller ordered that all remain under arrest and that the road be blocked. The judge and the colonel began a fierce discussion. Judge Ailton Pinheiro ordered the arrest of the Colonel but the order was not respected. Arrogantly, the Colonel asked who would dare to arrested him. The judge was then surrounded by 400 police. The detainees were arrested after several hours of negotiation.
On the other side of the city, President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and the President of Portugal continued their planned celebrations. Cardoso cancelled his planned schedule for Coroa Vermelha claiming that the indigneous peoples “had thrown the President’s invitation back in his face”. Yesterday the indigenous leadership decided neither to meet nor to hand over written demands to the President because a meeting with the government on such a symbolic day could be interpreted as support for the celebrations already rejected by indigenous peoples. In Fernando Henrique’s speeches it was clear that the leadership’s decision stirred emotions.
The indigenous delegations which participated in the Indigenous Conference decided to draw up a document denouncing the Attorney General and giving an account of the atrocities of the Bahia police, who also targeted the camp of the Black Movement situated near Coroa Vermelha. Disgusted by the violence, the indigenous peoples began the journey home.
