Hoodie Environmentalism Without Class Struggle (Chico Mendes)

On December 22, 1988, Chico Mendes was murdered by the son of a local rancher in his home in Xapuri, in the Brazilian state of Acre. Chico was not only a champion of indigenous rights and a brilliant labour and environmental activist, but he also played a key role in promoting the alternative model of "extractive reserves." This model represents sustainable management of the rainforests, in which the numerous riches such as nuts and rubber are only extracted moderately and no deforestation is carried out.

In order to protect the Amazon rainforest, rubber workers and trade unionist Mendes had called on the government to establish protected areas to prevent further deforestation. A conflict developed with the rancher Darly Alves Da Silva in particular, which escalated. Rubber workers in Cachoeira set up roadblocks to keep Da Silva away from an area in which he had bought a piece of land. Later, Mendes launched a campaign to stop Da Silva from logging in another area. In addition, he managed to obtain an arrest warrant against Da Silva for a murder he committed elsewhere. Mendes handed the warrant over to the police, who did nothing.

On the evening of Thursday, December 22, 1988, Mendes was murdered in his home by Da Silva's son. He was the 19th environmental activist murdered in Brazil that year. Da Silva, his son, and one of their associates were sentenced to 19 years in prison for the murder. After a worldwide outpouring of support, the Chico Mendes "Extractive Reserve" was established, which, along with other reserves established later, now covers over 33 million hectares. On the evolution of his activism, Mendes once noted:

"First I thought I was fighting to save the rubber trees, then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rainforest. Now I realize that I am fighting for humanity."

The design for December 2024 comes from the Brazilian artist Caetano Calomino. In his childhood, the story of Chico Mendes was a “big thing”, Caetano remembers. To realise the design, Caetano chose what is probably the best-known and most influential quote from Mendes:

“Environmentalism without class struggle is just gardening" (English)

"Ecologia sem luta de classes é jardinagem" (Portuguese original)

For the font, Caetano was inspired by a style typical of the region in which Chico Mendes was active.

Attention: Made-to-order contract manufacturing

You order and we produce the item exclusively for you! Together we avoid overproduction and lessen the impact on the environment. Therefore, the average delivery time is a little longer and takes up to 15-20 working days to Germany and the EU, after receipt of payment. Thanks for your understanding! More info can be found under “Shipping and Delivery”.

Important: Please take enough time to choose the right size for you. You can find the size chart at the end of the product picture gallery. Since all products are made especially for you, we kindly ask you to take sufficient time when selecting your size. Unworn goods with material or printing errors can of course be returned for a complaint.

Brand: Stanley & Stella

Material: 85 percent organic cotton, 15 percent recycled polyester

Printing and Finishing: High quality skin and ecofriendly print, direct-to-garment (DTG) or direct-to-film (DTF), depending on design and textile.

Care: Important care instructions can be found at the bottom of our website.

Please note on colours: Since every screen displays colours slightly differently and textiles may vary slightly depending on the batch and material, minor colour deviations between the product image and the delivered item are possible. This is completely normal when printing on fabric and does not constitute a defect.

Please note: If, in exceptional cases, your size or colour is not available, we reserve the right to send you an alternative organic textile of equivalent material quality from another Fair Wear Foundation member company.

---

Product Safety (GPSR)

This product complies with the requirements of the EU General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR – Regulation (EU) 2023/988).

Responsible person (EU): Anton Wundrak Mantovanini, dna merch | Solidarische Textilien, Richardstr. 60, 12055 Berlin, E-Mail

For questions regarding product safety, please contact the person named above.