Protest erupts during World Indigenous Games over controversial land demarcation proposal

Members of Xavante indigenous from Brazil hold up signs in Portuguese that read: "If the PEC is approved, Brazil will stop," top, and "Our life is not a game" as they protest a proposed constitutional amendment that would put the demarcation of indigenous lands into the hands of the Congress, at the World Indigenous Games in Palmas, Brazil, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015. The protest forced the suspension of the day's sporting activities. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) (The Associated Press)

prev next

Brazilian indigenous protest the approval a proposed constitutional amendment that would put the demarcation of indigenous lands into the hands of the Congress, at the World Indigenous Games in Palmas, Brazil, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, forcing the suspension of the day's sporting activities. The demonstrators are angry about the amendment because it would put the demarcation of their lands into the hands of a Congress that's largely dominated by the big agriculture lobby. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) (The Associated Press)

A Xavante indigenous leader speaks out against the approval a proposed constitutional amendment that would put the demarcation of indigenous lands into the hands of the Congress, at the World Indigenous Games in Palmas, Brazil, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, forcing the suspension of the day's sporting activities. A commission in the Chamber of Deputies approved the proposal late Tuesday, but it must make its way through the Senate and be signed by President Dilma Rousseff to become law. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) (The Associated Press)

PALMAS, Brazil – A noisy demonstration has broken out during the World Indigenous Games as native Brazilians angry over a land demarcation proposal streamed into the sporting arena.

Several hundred indigenous protesters filled the arena during Wednesday's 100-meter dash competition, forcing the suspension of the day's sporting activities.

The demonstrators are angry about a proposed constitutional amendment that would put the demarcation of indigenous lands into the hands of Brazil's Congress, which is largely dominated by the big agriculture lobby.

A commission in the Chamber of Deputies approved the proposal late Tuesday. It must make its way through the Senate and be signed by President Dilma Rousseff to become law.