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Protesters forced from Indigenous complex in Rio, focus of World Cup plans

Associated Press
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A supporter of indigenous people is carried away by police officers during a protest at the old Indian Museum, next to the Maracana stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Brazil, Dec. 15, 2013. The Indian Museum has been at the center of a drawn-out legal battle between the several dozen indigenous who had been living there for years and state and local authorities. Officials initially wanted to raze the complex as part of renovations ahead of Brazil's 2014 World Cup. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) (The Associated Press)

An indigenous man stays at a tree inside the old Indian Museum, next to the Maracana Stadium, during a protest in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Brazil, Dec. 15, 2013. The Indian museum has been at the center of a drawn-out legal battle between the several dozen indigenous who had been living there for years and state and local authorities. Officials initially wanted to raze the complex as part of renovations ahead of Brazil's 2014 World Cup. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) (The Associated Press)

Supporter of indigenous people clash with police officers during a protest at the old Indian Museum, next to the Maracana stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Brazil, Dec. 15, 2013. The Indian museum has been at the center of a drawn-out legal battle between the several dozen indigenous who had been living there for years and state and local authorities. Officials initially wanted to raze the complex as part of renovations ahead of Brazil's 2014 World Cup. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) (The Associated Press)

Police in Rio de Janeiro have removed about 25 protesters who had re-occupied the grounds of an Indian Museum complex near the Maracana soccer stadium that will host the final match of next year's World Cup.

The crumbling complex originally was scheduled to be demolished to make way for a shopping mall and a parking lot as part of the World Cup development plan.

But protests earlier this year forced the state government to halt those plans.

Officials now say they'll preserve the building and that it will house an indigenous cultural center.

Protesters say they remained worried about the possible demolition of buildings in the complex, and for that reason again entered the area before being removed on Monday.