Marina Silva
/Overview
Marina Silva born Breu Velho, Acre, Brazil February 8, 1958. Nonviolent environmental activist; rubber tapper. Promoter of Amazon forest preservation; led early nonviolent Empate protests with assassinated leader Chico Mendes, 1980s. Senator, 1995-2011; as Environment Minister, saw 60% reduction of deforestation, 2003-08. Green Party presidential candidate, earning almost 20% of votes, 2010; Socialist Presidential candidate, earning 21% of votes, 2014. Awarded Goldman Prize, 1996; named UNEP Champion of the Earth, 2007; received Sophie Prize, 2009.
Quotations
"My option has always been for non-violent actions. Civil disobedience actions can occur without violence, without disrespecting fundamental rights—for example, without injuring people or damaging property." (Folha de S.Paulo, Aug. 18, 2013; photo adbb.org.br)