Brazilian police faced off with a group of indigeonous people in Rio de Janeiro Friday, forcing them to vacate the site of an abandoned museum in lieu of World Cup-related preparations.
The old Indian Museum, which has been empty since 1977, served as housing for native groups such as the Guarani, Pataxo and Guajaja for close to 10 years, according to the Associated Press.
Its location-next to the Maracana stadium, where the 2014 Summer games will take place-has rendered it a hotly contested piece of real estate. State authorities have long battled for clearance to move the indigenous people and knock down the existing structure.The fast approaching soccer matches have put the pressure on, culminating in this early morning street brawl.
Police used tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray against dozens of protestors wielding homemade signs and bows and arrows, the AP reported. After a few hours, negotiations between authorities and the inhabitants of the old Indian Museum took place from inside the building.
Soon after, a handful of people left the site, saying they would look into proposed shelter offered up by City Hall. Others left in handcuffs. All the while, protestors and supporters remained outside, yelling slurs and chants at authorities.
Brazilian and foreign fans alike cheer on the upcoming games, not only for the imminent fun that will surely be had, but also for the obvious economic benefit that some say will restore healthy tourism in Brazil.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in a recent Yahoo Sports article that he is confident "that through its economic power and strength of will, Brazil will be ready and deliver a wonderful World Cup."
Two hundred new hotels are under construction, (with an additional 170 to open just in time for 2014) including Hilton and Grand Hyatt, according to USA Today. However, in the eyes of people like protestor Gabriel Guajaja, not all will benefit from these renovations and movements.
"It's been 500 years that white men have been exploiting the indigenous people of this continent," Guajaja told the AP. "The local government wants to destroy even this little bit of Indian culture we have here in the city."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
