Fight for the Forest: Chico Mendes in his Own Words

by Chico Mendez, Tony Gross

"They would have to kill us all to destroy our movement and they can't. I don't get that cold feeling anymore. I am no longer afraid of dying."-Chico Mendes, November 1988 Chico Mendes, the charismatic founder of the Brazilian rubber tappers union, was murdered by a hired assassin on 22 December 1988. As a trade union leader, he won international acclaim for his role in the non-violent campaign to protect the Amazon rainforest, on which the rubber tappers depend for their livelihood. In Fight for the Forest, Chico Mendes talks of his life's work in his last major interview conducted just weeks before his death. He recalls the rubber tappers' campaign against forest clearances and their struggle to develop sustainable alternatives for the Amazon.

104 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Frank Keizer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chico Mendes, vernoord in 1988, in zijn eigen woorden. Klassenstrijd en ecologie verenigd.

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

Timely published, this book mixes Chico Mendes’ voice and opinions with those of the book authors, resulting in a bit of confusion at times. Prepared for a British audience at the end of the 1980s, that probably had very little knowledge about environmental activism in Brazil, the book is at times too heavy on context and too light on Chico Mendes’ struggle itself. However, it was still informative and a good read. Especially knowing that it was published right after Chico Mendes death, and to see how much of what was happening then has changed (or not).