Chico Mendes

Yasmim, Maria Luisa, Raíssa e Evelyn.

2° Formação Geral

Francisco Alves Mendes Filho, better known as Chico Mendes, was born on December 15, 1944 in the town of Seringal Santa Fé, outside of Xapuri, Brazil. He was a Brazilian rubber tapper, trade union leader and environmentalist. He fought to preserve the Amazon rainforest, and advocated for the human rights of Brazilian peasants and indigenous peoples.

Mendes believed that relying on rubber tapping alone was not sustainable, and that the rubber tappers needed to develop cooperative systems that used a variety of forest products, such as nuts, fruit, oil, and fibers, and that they needed to focus on building strong communities with quality education for their children.

To save the rainforest, Chico Mendes and the rubber workers union asked the government to set up reserves as they wanted people to use the forest without damaging it. The Xapuri Rubber Tappers Union was created in 1970, and Chico was elected as its president.

"At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees, then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rainforest. Now I realize I am fighting for humanity."

— Chico Mendes

Chico Mendes with his children.

On the evening of Thursday, December 22, 1988, Mendes was assassinated in his home by Darly Alves da Silva, a rancher. The shooting took place exactly one week after Mendes' 44th birthday, when he had predicted he would "not live until Christmas".

- The Chico Mendes Institute for Conservation of Biodiversity (Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade), a body under the jurisdiction of the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment, is named in his honor.- The musical group Maná made a song about the death of Mendes. The song was titled "Cuando los Ángeles Lloran".- Paul McCartney dedicated the song "How Many People" to the memory of Mendes.

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