Indigenous communities of the Gavião people have been blocking the Carajás Railway since Monday, September 16, in the region of Bom Jesus do Tocantins, southeast Pará. This protest has continued for five days, as the groups assert their right to intervene against what they claim are detrimental impacts of the railway's duplication on their land. The blockade is stopping both freight trains transporting minerals as well as passenger trains operated by Vale, the railway's managing company.

The protesters argue that the construction work associated with doubling the railway has led to several environmental issues including noise pollution and contamination of local rivers, which are essential to their community. According to the Federal Public Ministry, Vale has been operating the second line of the railway without the necessary permits, indicating a potential violation of legal regulations concerning indigenous rights. Furthermore, the Gavião leaders assert that they were not consulted prior to the project, a requirement under Brazilian law that protects indigenous communities' rights in regard to land use and environmental decisions.

The indigenous groups have stated that they will continue the blockade indefinitely, highlighting their determination to fight against what they view as encroachment on their territory and to seek accountability for the environmental degradation caused by the railway expansion. This protest not only illustrates the ongoing struggles of indigenous peoples in Brazil but also raises critical questions about corporate practices, governmental oversight, and the protection of indigenous rights in the face of development projects.