BELÉM, Brazil — Activist groups and United Nations security clashed in chaotic scenes late Tuesday after protesters appeared to force their way into the COP30 climate conference venue, in the most serious act of unrest seen in years inside one of the annual gatherings.
Security personnel were barricading the entrance with tables around 7:30 p.m. local time (5:30 p.m. EST) after forcing out demonstrators who waved yellow flags protesting oil drilling in the Amazon.
At least one security guard appeared to be injured.
“It was people running, trying to storm inside,” said Enric Noguera Marcet, with the organization Plant Based Treaty, who was nearby when the protest erupted. “They [U.N. security] forced them out. Security were very aggressive. They grabbed some people by the neck, pushed people to the ground. I saw some punches as well.”
