36 years ago, Chico Mendes was murdered while preparing to take a shower; remember the story

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It was a Thursday, the penultimate chapter of Vale-Tudo. Chico Mendes, a rubber tapper leader who made the world reflect on socio-environmentalism, was preparing to take his evening shower and watch the episode of the soap opera, when, in an ambush at his residence, he was shot by Darci Alves Pereira, at the behest of his father, Darly Alves. These events occurred on December 22, 1988, exactly 36 years ago.

After his death, Chico Mendes became a symbol of the defense of traditional peoples. Recognized as a Hero of the Fatherland in 2004 and National Patron of the Environment in 2013, he is remembered for his leadership in protecting the Amazon, human rights and social justice.

Thirteen days before he was murdered, Chico Mendes warned about the threats he had been receiving, especially from farmer Darly Alves. In an interview with Jornal do Brasil, on December 9, 1988, he reported that Darly and his brother Alvarino had threatened him.

“If someone sent from heaven came down and assured me that my death would strengthen our fight, that it would even be worth it. But experience teaches us otherwise. So I want to live. Public acts and large burials will not save the Amazon,” he stated in one of the several interviews he gave at the time.

Chico also sent letters to the authorities about the danger he was in. After the expropriation of the Cachoeira rubber plantation, which Darly claimed for cattle ranching, Chico became the definitive target of the land grabber.

In mourning for Chico Mendes

Throughout his life, Chico Mendes was responsible for building several concepts in favor of the forest and humanity. The Extractive Reserves (Resex), inspired by indigenous practices, are one of the greatest legacies of this work. These areas protected by the Union guarantee extractivists the sustainable use of natural resources, ensuring the belonging and territorial security of local communities.

According to the National Register of Conservation Units (CNUC), Brazil has more than 90 Extractive Reserves, totaling around 15.7 million hectares. The largest of them is the Verde para Semper Extractive Reserve, in Porto de Moz (PA), with 1.3 million hectares, created in 2004. The Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve, in Acre, is the second largest, with 931.3 thousand hectares, covering seven municipalities.

“The bioeconomy of the standing forest also generates opportunities. The integration of indigenous peoples and local communities into production chains is just one example. But there is also the creation of new direct and indirect jobs related to the activities that will be developed in the Amazon, in addition to new functions necessary to preserve or restore the biome”, quotes Jornada Amazônia about Chico’s work in this area.

Assassins

Currently, Chico Mendes’ killer lives in Medicilândia, Pará, with his wife and son. In a report on the Samaúma portal, Darci was present at several Bolsonarist demonstrations in Brasília and is a staunch supporter of the former president.

He founded a church on the outskirts of the city, in addition to owning 200 head of cattle, tractors, machines and 60,000 cocoa trees, according to the news. However, after a period, the religious temple was closed and he now seeks to work in Altamira, Pará.

Resistance

On the same night, through two meetings — one with organizations in Rio Branco, in the Diocese of Rio Branco, and the other with Chico’s friends and companions in Xapuri — the Chico Mendes Committee was born.

Initially, the collective sought to ensure that those responsible for Chico Mendes’ murder were convicted, but, over time, it transformed into a movement for the forest and humanity, alongside other institutions.

Since 1989, Chico Mendes Week has been held in Xapuri and Rio Branco, with partners and activities that reflect Chico Mendes’ struggle.

Legacy

“Chico’s mistake, if we can call it that, was not being able to measure his own size. His murder placed the Amazon at the center of global debate. And by doing this, so to speak, perhaps it slowed down the process of devastation”, reinforces Gomercindo Rodrigues in a recent interview.

Gomercindo is one of the organizers of the walk to Chico Mendes’ tomb every year, during the meeting that bears his name: Chico Mendes Week. At this year’s meeting, in front of the union leader and friend’s house, he declared: “They missed the target! The shot that killed him made him immortal!”