Thread by @BeyondDShadows

Bolsonaro’s minister @rsallesmma has stated that Chico Mendes holds no relevance in today’s world. He also admitted his little to no knowledge about Mendes. So in solidarity, we’ve built a thread to show the minister where and with whom he can learn about CM’s undying relevance.

A good start would be at the UN, who gave Mendes the Global 500 award in 1987. The prize was created by the UN Environment Programme: global500.org/index.php/thel…

However, we know that the minister has his troubles with the UN, so he is most welcome to ask Ted Turner, the American tycoon, CEO of Time Warner. Turner’s Better World Society awarded Mendes in 1988. nytimes.com/1985/06/12/art…

He could also have a look at a 1987 documentary depicting Mendes’ life called “Eu Quero Viver”, directed by the esteemed environmental documentarist Adrian Cowell. (check out his filmography here: goo.gl/EtmEHZ)

He could also ask Sting, who dedicated this song - “Frágil” (Fragile) - to Mendes’ life and legacy.

Or if he prefers, the minister could ask Paul McCartney, a somewhat relevant English composer and musician, about Chico Mendes’ relevance. The track "How Many People" off McCartney’s album "Flowers in the Dirty" was composed for Mendes.

In fact, Mr. McCartney called up a few of his friends and together they created “Earthrise: The Rainforest Album”, in 1992. All profit were directed to the preservation of Brazilian forests.

U2, REM, Annie Lennox, Julian Lennon, Elton John, Pink Floyd, Paul Simon, Queen, Peter Gabriel. All of them know how relevant Chico Mendes is and - for him - they gave away their best songs in order to generate money for our forests.

You can ask them, minister.

Living Colour also mentioned Mendes in their 1995 song "Sacred Ground". They could be a good source of info, too.

If you’d rather ask in Spanish, you could ask any member of the Mexican group Maná, which composed the song “Cuando Los Angeles Lloran” for Chico Mendes.

It’s also possible to find his relevance in the memory of one our greatest ever composers, Luiz Gonzaga, who mentioned Chico Mendes in his sad yet delicious song “Poluição Comeu”.

In case Gonzaga isn’t your cup of tea, Mr. Minister, here’s our very own Sepultura with a resounding homage to Mendes in their song “Ambush”:

Mr. Salles could ask about Mendes’ relevance even to the devout christians of gospel rock band “Rebanhão”. You don’t have to be a leftist to know about it.

The minister could ask HBO, the producer of John Frankenheimer’s (director of ‘Ronin’, ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’) film “The Burning Season”. Guess whose story the film tells? That’s right. Chico Mendes.

Our dear minister can also try to understand Mendes’ relevance by asking children, in particular the American children. One of the most popular children’s books in the USA is “The Great Kapok Tree”, dedicated by the author to none other than Mendes himself.

However, if you don’t fancy leaving Brasília, dear minister, you can just ask about him to the deputies who passed the Chico Mendes Law in 2007. planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_Ato…

He could also learn about this relevance by strolling around Chico Mendes Park in Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Vila Curuçá, São Paulo, Rio Branco, Osasco. It’s hard to find a park which *isn’t* named after Mendes.

Another option is going to a school library and studying about Chico Mendes, dear minister. After all, there is no shortage of schools named after Mendes here in Brazil.

If after all of this you still haven’t understood the man’s relevance, you can have a walk around the world - through the many streets and parks that carry Chico Mendes’ name.

You can cap it all off in a bar in Aachen, Germany, reflecting about Chico Mendes’ relevance and your own relevance, dear minister. And don’t worry, we assure you that there’s enough beer at Chico Mendes Bar to drown your sorrows after such a comparison. goo.gl/X61ZSF