April 23: Solidarity Rally for Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples Threatened by Bolsonaro
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2019
Contact: Leila Salazar-López, Amazon Watch, 415-341-5509, leila@amazonwatch.org
Osprey-Orielle Lake, WECAN International, 415-722-2104, osprey@wecaninternational.org
Solidarity Rally for Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples Threatened by Bolsonaro
International allies, led by highly-respected indigenous leader Sônia Bone Guajajara, will deliver
thousands of grassroots signatures to Brazilian Mission to the U.N.
Who: The Coordination of the Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB) and the
Articulation of Brazil's Indigenous Peoples (APIB), supported by Amazon Watch and the Women’s
Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International, Defend Democracy in Brazil Committee
and Brasil Solidarity Network.
Speakers:
- Sônia Bone Guajajara, General Coordinator of APIB
- Leila Salazar-López, Executive Director, Amazon Watch
- Osprey-Orielle Lake, Founder/Executive Director, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network
(WECAN) International
- Natalia de Campos, Co-Founder, Defend Democracy in Brazil Committee New York
- Maria Xiomára Dorsey, Brasil Solidarity Network & Idle No More SF Bay
Where: Permanent Mission of Brazil: 747 3rd Ave (NYC)
When: Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 1 PM – 2:30 PM EST
Background: Indigenous leaders from Brazil and allies will converge at the Permanent Mission of
Brazil to express solidarity with the indigenous resistance and "Terra Livre", the national indigenous
mobilization in Brasilia which starts on Wednesday, April 24th.
Brazil's indigenous peoples are under increasing attack with newly elected President Bolsonaro and his
regime's devastating assaults on social and environmental protections. Indigenous organizations in
Brazil are mobilizing locally and globally to protect and defend their communities, the Amazon
rainforest, and the global climate.
COIAB and APIB circulated a grassroots petition to denounce Bolsonaro's egregious attacks on
indigenous rights and territories, particularly in the Amazon, which has garnered thousands of
signatures. The collected signatures will be delivered to representatives at the Permanent Mission of
Brazil in New York City concurrent with a rally on the street at the Mission on April 23rd.
Interviews and more information available upon request.
Other Public Events featuring Sônia Bone Guajajara:
“Indigenous Resistance and the Crisis of Mother Earth: Paths to Climate Justice”
Presented by Amazon Watch, Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International, the Shipibo
Conibo Center and The New School's Tishman Environment and Design Center
When: Monday, April 22 @ 6:15 - 8:15pm
Where: The New School, 63 5th Ave, Room UL 104, New York City
Learn more and register HERE
“Indigenous Women of the Americas Protecting Mother Earth: Struggles and Climate Change
Solutions, 2019”
Hosted by Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International
When: Tuesday, April 23 @ 5:00 - 8:00pm
Where: United Nations Church Center, 777 United Nations Plaza, New York City
Learn More and Register HERE (public event, registration requested but not required)
“Forest Defenders: New Threats and New Responses”
Hosted by Interfaith Rainforest Initiative
When: Tuesday, April 23 @ 6:30 - 8:00pm with reception to follow
Where: United Nations Secretariat, 405 E 42nd Street, Conference Room 4, New York City
Open to UN Grounds Passholders or via registration HERE
For a full list of recommended events, see HERE.
Sonia Guajajara, Brazilian Indigenous leader , General Coordinator of APIB