Chico Mendes

Galvanized global environmental activism by defending the Amazon rainforest and its communities.

Francisco 'Chico' Mendes (1944–1988) became a global icon of environmental justice through his fearless defense of the Amazon rainforest and its indigenous inhabitants. Born into a family of rubber tappers in Brazil’s Acre state, Mendes witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by logging and cattle ranching. He organized grassroots 'empates'—nonviolent protests where communities encircled trees to prevent their felling.

Mendes co-founded the National Council of Rubber Tappers in 1985, advocating for sustainable extraction practices and land rights. His efforts pressured Brazil’s government to establish 'extractive reserves', protected areas allowing sustainable resource use. This model balanced ecological preservation with livelihoods, inspiring global conservation strategies.

Mendes’ activism drew death threats from powerful landowners. On December 22, 1988, he was assassinated at his home. His martyrdom spurred international outrage, leading to increased scrutiny of Amazon deforestation. Today, organizations like Greenpeace honor his legacy, while his philosophy—'ecology without class struggle is just gardening'—remains a rallying cry for intersectional environmentalism.