People in 22 cities spanning 16 countries held solidarity demonstrations to urge Brazil to cancel the Belo Monte Dam and to defend the forest code.
Brazil
Activists Protest in Front of Brazil Office
Taipei Times | Dozens of environmental activists gathered in front of the Commercial Office of Brazil yesterday, urging the Brazilian government to put a stop to the recently approved construction of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Dam, which they say will destroy much of the Amazon rainforest.
San Francisco Joins International Day of Action to Defend the Amazon
Bay Area joins international solidarity movement following mass protests in Brazil
San Francisco, CA – The Brazilian Amazon faces an unprecedented convergence of threats. The nation's congress is on the verge of approving a major rollback of the Brazilian Forestry Code; plans are moving forward for construction of the devastating Belo Monte Dam project; and the government is failing to protect people seeking to defend the...
Kayapo Assemble to Defend the Xingu
Hundreds of indigenous representatives and movement leaders gathered to forge a single and unified force to resist the Belo Monte Dam.
Belo Monte Dam Marks a Troubling New Era in Brazil's Attitude to Its Rainforest
Belo Monte is just one of a dozen giant dam projects Brazil plans to build in the Amazon region in the coming decades and opens up the world's largest tropical rainforest to oil and mining exploration
The Ecologist | Belo Monte is just one of a dozen giant dam projects Brazil plans to build in the Amazon region in the coming decades and opens up the world's largest tropical rainforest to oil and mining exploration.
Amazon Watch is building on more than 25 years of radical and effective solidarity with Indigenous peoples across the Amazon Basin.
Belo Monte International Solidarity Actions
Amazonian communities and Brazilian civil society are mobilizing against an alarming assault on the Amazon and its people.
International Day of Action to Defend the Amazon Do-It-Yourself Toolkit
Do-It-Yourself Action Toolkit
The time has come for the international community to join its voice with millions of Brazilians who say no to their government's assault on the Amazon and its peoples! This toolkit is meant to provide you with a variety of sample materials to help guide the protest you are planning in your town or city.
Cachuela Esperanza: Hope or Havoc on the Rio Madera?
Though the name "Cachuela Esperanza" may include the word "hope" translated, this proposed megaproject will most likely mean disaster for the natural environment and indigenous population living near the Madera River Basin.
Death Threats in the Amazon: A Call for Support
Almir Narayamoga Surui, tribal chief of the Surui people and internationally-recognized indigenous rights defender, is once again at high risk as he works to defend his ancestral territory in Brazil's Amazon rainforest.
James Cameron Warns of Violence over Brazil Dam
AFP | Washington, DC – Oscar-winning movie director James Cameron on Thursday said tribes in Brazil's Amazon rainforest could turn to violence to block construction of a massive dam.
Marching on Washington to Stop the Belo Monte Dam!
Protesters with green and yellow signs in Portuguese and English saying, "Brazil: Respect Indigenous Rights, Stop Belo Monte" marched through the streets to the Brazilian Embassy.
Brazil Announces Energy Expansion Plan 2020
OOSKA News | Brasilia, Brazil – The Brazilian government on June 3 announced its Energy Expansion Plan 2020, which envisions construction of 30 hydroelectric plants in the next nine years. The first costs were estimated at $120 billion USD.
A Call to Protest the Belo Monte Dam, June 19th & 20th
In response to the attacks on the Brazilian Amazon and human rights in the last few weeks, Brazilians are taking it to the streets and protesting.
As Tensions Rise, Controversial Belo Monte Dam Faces New Legal Challenge
Federal Public Prosecutors allege 40% of social and environmental conditions have not been met by project consortium
Brasilia, Brazil – Last week's decision by IBAMA, Brazil's federal environmental agency, to grant a license allowing full-fledged construction on the controversial Belo Monte Dam Complex on the Xingu River has spurred a new wave of legal challenges and protests throughout Brazil.
Last Stand for the Xingu
Called by the legendary elder Kayapó Chief Raoni Metyktire, the assembly in Piaraçu aimed to discuss the impending human rights and environmental disaster that is the Belo Monte Dam on the Lower Xingu.
Amazon Mega-Dam Gets Final Approval
Mongabay.com | Construction of the dam is expected to displace 16,000 people, according to the Brazilian government, although environmentalists estimate that 40,000 could be forced to move. Amazon Watch, a group campaigning against Belo Monte, says the dam will flood more than 40,000 hectares of rainforest.
Anger As Amazon Mega Dam Gets Green Light
EnergyRefuge.com | After years of fierce opposition and heated debates, the Brazilian government won the arm wrestling contest and is pushing ahead with the building of the Belo Monte Dam. The news was received with dismay by environmentalists and indigenous people.
Brazil Gives Green Light to "Monster Dam"
Science Insider | The dam project, in planning for 30 years, has stirred opposition among environmentalists and celebrities, including the singer Sting and Hollywood director James Cameron, who compared the conflict to a "real life" version of his film Avatar. Earlier this year, 20 Brazilian scientific societies, including the Brazilian Society for the Advancement...
Brazil, After a Long Battle, Approves an Amazon Dam
"This is a tragic day for the Amazon," said Atossa Soltani, executive director of Amazon Watch.
The New York Times | São Paulo, Brazil – Brazil's environmental agency gave final approval on Wednesday for a giant hydroelectric power plant in the Amazon rain forest that has been at the center of a protracted battle between the government and environmentalists over the fate of indigenous people.
Brazil Green Lights Controversial Amazon Dam
IBAMA authorizes installation of Belo Monte Dam Complex despite escalating local, national and international opposition
Brasilia, Brazil – The Brazilian government has issued the full installation license allowing the Belo Monte Dam Complex to break ground despite egregious disregard for human rights and environmental legislation, the unwavering protests of civil society, condemnations by its Federal Public Prosecutor's Office and the request for...
Brazil Approves Huge Amazon Power Plant
AFP | Brasilia, Brazil – Over the strong objections of indigenous groups, activists and environmentalists, Brazilian authorities gave a green light Wednesday to what will be the world's third largest hydroelectric plant and dam.
Killing of Brazilian Environmental Activists a Test of the Rousseff Government
Amazon Watch asks, "Will they investigate and prosecute?"
Al Jazeera | The spate of recent high-profile assassinations of anti-logging campaigners in Brazil underscores the deadly risks of speaking out on behalf of the environment.
Last Stand for the Xingu River
"This is the last chance we have to paralyze Belo Monte's construction," said Renata Pinheiro. "The future of the Xingu is in your hands, indigenous peoples and social movements. You succeeded in stopping Belo Monte for 30 years – now more than ever we need to strengthen our resolve."
Brazil Pressured Over Human Rights Resolution on Amazon Dam
Organizations Worldwide Call on Brazil to Respect a Resolution from Inter-American Commission to Suspend the Belo Monte Dam
Washington, D.C. – In a series of letters sent to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, nearly 100 prominent Brazilian and international human rights and environmental organizations, have expressed "deep concerns" over her government's refusal to comply with a resolution of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
Organizations Worldwide Call on Brazil to Respect IACHR Resolution
Over 75 organizations sent this open letter to President Rousseff to express their deep concerns regarding the implementation of the precautionary measures requested by the IACHR to safeguard the rights of indigenous peoples - including groups living in voluntary isolation - threatened by the construction of the Belo Monte Hydroelectric Dam...
Mining Giant Joins Belo Monte Dam
International Rivers | The world's second-largest mining corporation, Vale, has stepped into one of the world's most controversial dams: Belo Monte. They are banking on the hope that the electricity from so-called "clean" dams can help power a record expansion of dirty mining in the Amazon.
World Leaders Urge You to Take Action for the Amazon!
An Earth Day message from Atossa Soltani
In honor of Earth Day, please watch this short video and take action to defend the Xingu River basin. The Brazilian government is pushing for Belo Monte Dam construction to begin.
A Call for Renewable Energy in Brazil
James Cameron revisits the Brazilian Amazon with Arnold Schwarzenegger, joining Kayapo Chief Raoni and world leaders in advocating for energy alternatives to the Belo Monte Dam.
From Amazon to Zealand
Brazilian oil interests go global, stirring conflicts with Maori indigenous communities.
Last June, New Zealand‘s government announced a contract with Petrobras for a huge off-shore gas exploration concession. This was a shocker for coastal Maori communities, who were hearing about the deal for the first time.
