A group of Brazilian indians, belonging to different ethnic
groups from all over the country, has occupied, since October
2006, an old colonial building abandoned.This building had
previously hosted the ancient Indian Museum, until 1977, when
the Musem was moved to its present location, in the district of
Botafogo. With the arrivals of the next mega events and the
renovation of the nearby stadium Maracanã, Rio Prefecture may
decide to demolish the building, to make there a parking lot or
a shopping center. The Indians want to make an indigenous
cultural center with is a reference for all the indians passing
trough Rio de Janeiro. In the last month of the 2012, the
indians' struggle to defend this space, will be very tough.
Activists and popular movements for human rights have joined
the indigenous fight. Some of them have remained to sleep
inside tho old Museum.
On Friday, 22 March 2013, police in riot gear invaded the old
Indian museum complex and pulled out a few dozen indigenous
people who have peacefully resisted.
