Stop killing us. The phrase was on posters and was frequently repeated by leaders at the Global March of Indigenous Peoples this Monday (17), in Belém. In the act, there was solidarity, especially with the murder of Vicente Fernandes Vilhalva Kaiowá36 years old, shot in the head during an armed attack on the Pyelito Kue retake, in the municipality of Iguatemi, Mato Grosso do Sul, this Sunday.
Four other indigenous people, including teenagers and a woman, were injured by firearms or rubber bullets. The community reported that the gunmen tried to take Vicente’s body, which was prevented by the indigenous people.
Vilma Vera Caletana Rios, from the Avá Guarani people, Guasu Gauavira village, in Paraná, showed indignation at the murder of Guarani Kaiowá and demanded punishment for those responsible.
Vilma Vera Caletana Rios shows outrage over the death of Vicente Fernandes in Mato Grosso – Bruno Peres/Agência Brasil
“Another indigenous person, another leader, another man murdered in their territory. When we talk about climate justice, we cannot forget to do justice for the people who have already been murdered in their territories. We cannot remain silent in the face of such great violence”, said Vilma.
Paulo Macuxi, coordinator of the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR), endorsed the speech of his fellow fighter and the criticism of the lack of action by the justice system.
“Our relatives are being murdered and this will not be cheap. This cannot remain as if it were something common. Someone has to be held responsible, someone has to be punished because lives are being lost, day after day, and no one does anything. The bodies are incompetent, no one does anything to heal our pain”, said Macuxi.
Nadia Tupinambá, from the indigenous territory of Olivença, in the south of Bahia, demanded that authorities have more respect for the “shed blood of all ancestors”.
“We are here to say: ‘stop killing us’. Stop killing our forests. Stop selling our rivers. We face many struggles, but we will not give up,” said Nádia.
“At COP30, they are talking about climate, but they are not talking about the demarcation of our territory, where our people are losing their lives, where children, women and defenseless people are being attacked, even by the police, by the State, without a court order. But we are not going to give up. We are all Guarani Kaiowá”, he added.
