Protesters Storm COP30's Diplomatic Zone Shouting 'Tax the Billionaires' and Criticizing Oil in the Amazon - Folha de S.Paulo

A group of activists stormed the blue zone of COP30, the diplomatic center of the UN climate conference in Belém, on Tuesday night (11). After taking part in a march on health and climate, the protesters managed to enter the City Park — the main venue of the event — amid clashes with security guards.

Running and shouting that it was necessary to "tax the billionaires," saying "it’s their fault it’s hot," the group criticized oil drilling in the Foz do Amazonas basin. Their chants accused the "Lula government" of "destroying the climate with this drilling." The shaman Nato Tupinambá, present at the scene, said the government was "lying when it says the Amazon is doing fine."

Security personnel from the UNFCCC (the UN’s climate arm) used human chains and barricades to contain the crowd. Protesters forced their way into the accreditation zone. At least one guard was injured, and activists claimed that women were being treated violently. The group was later expelled from the area.

In a statement, the organizations of the Global March for Health and Climate denied "any connection with the incident," saying their earlier demonstration had been peaceful. COP30 president André Corrêa do Lago was not in the blue zone at the time of the breach.