Chico Mendes

Francisco Alves Mendes Filho (December 15, 1944-December 22, 1988), also known as Chico Mendes, was a Brazilian rubber tapper, unionist and environmental activist. He fought to stop the logging of the Amazon Rainforest for the purposes of cattle ranching, and founded a national union of rubber tappers in an attempt to preserve their profession and the rainforest that it relied upon. He was murdered in 1988 by ranchers opposed to his activism.

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Mendes grew up in a family of rubber tappers in Acre State, Brazil, and when he was of age, continued on in the family tradition. However, rubber prices had collapsed in the 1960s, and many landowners were selling their properties to the highest bidder - which in most cases, meant cattle ranchers. Rubber tappers were finding themselves pushed out of their lands.

December 15: December 15 is the 349th day of the year (350th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 16 days remaining....

1944: 1944 was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar)....

December 22: December 22 is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 9 days remaining....

Chico Mendes related Images and Photos (experimental)

Chico	Eva Mendes	Sergio Mendes: Timeles	Sergio Mendes: Encanto
Sergio Mendes: Encanto	Sergio Mendes: Timeles	Chico and the Man	Chico O'Farrill - Pure Emotion
Chico O'Farrill - Pure Emotion	Catulle Mendes French Writer in His Hat and Coat	At the Circus Chico Marx Groucho Marx Harpo Marx 1939	Animal Crackers Chico Marx Groucho Marx Harpo Marx Zeppo Marx 1930