by EoinD
Actress and human rights activist Q’orianka Kilcher today joined the Greenpeace occupation of the anchor chain of a cargo ship in Brazil to protest the invasion of indigenous tribal land and illegal logging in the Amazon rainforest. The occupation is in its seventh day now and continues.
You can follow updates here, more photos below.
The 22 year old is known for her role as Pocahontas in Terence Maliks 2006 Oscar nominated The New World, in which she co-starred with Colin Farrell. She also recently co-starred with Cuba Gooding Jnr. in ABCs Firelight. Q’orianka’s activism has taken her already to places like the World Peoples Summit on Climate Change and Rights of Mother Earth in Tiquipaya, Bolivia in 2010, and even jail for a peaceful protest at the White House in Washington D.C.
So inspired & proud of 20 year old Greenpeace activists Occupying anchor chain , so i decided I just must join her! bit.ly/Jpfcv0
Qorianka Kilcher (@Qorianka) May 20, 2012
As long as activists occupy the anchor its impossible for the ship to dock and load its cargo of pig iron, a key ingredient in the steelmaking process. New Greenpeace research shows how pig iron is helping to destroy the Amazon rainforest and even contributing to slave labour in the region. The resulting steel is bought by global car companies for use in US factories.
Brazil’s President Dilma is preparing to host the worlds elite in Rio a month from now. Dilma is this week considering whether to veto changes to Brazil’s forest code – a key law which has protected the Amazon for decades. Its vital that she shows leadership to regain control and protect the Amazon. Q’orianka, who was tweeting today from the anchor chain, has also retweeted Greenpeace’s call for Dilma to stand up and veto the changes.
Join: You can sign up here to get involved, or try our Find A Brazilian app to help get 1.4m Brazilians to petition their government for a zero deforestation law.
