Thousands of demonstrators marched in Belem, Brazil, at the halfway point of the United Nations climate talks, demanding progress from negotiators on climate change.

Saturday's march came on what's typically their biggest day of protests at the annual talks.

Protesters earlier this week twice disrupted the talks by surrounding the venue, including an incident Tuesday where two security guards suffered minor injuries.

A full day of sessions was planned at the talks, including how to move forward with $300 billion in annual climate financial aid that rich countries agreed last year to give to poor nations wracked by climate change.

Many of the protesters reveled in the freedom to demonstrate more openly than at recent climate talks held in countries with more authoritarian governments, including Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. 

Thousands of people joined a procession that stretched across most of the route.

The marchers formed a sea of red, white, and green flags as they progressed up a hill.

A crowd of onlookers gathered outside a corner supermarket to watch them approach, leaning over a railing and taking cellphone photos.

The climate talks are scheduled to run through Friday.

Analysts and some participants have said they don't expect any major new agreements to emerge from the talks, but are hoping for progress on some past promises, including money to help poor countries adapt to climate change.

AP Video by Joshua A. Bickel, Teresa de Miguel and Andre Penner

Produced by Joshua A. Bickel

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