jessmil

I can remember hearing about the destruction of the Amazon rainforest from one of my favorite teachers in high school.  Brazil seemed a million miles away from Queens, NY but I was moved by what I was hearing and wanted to know more.  More than 10 years later, I am still learning about why the largest rainforest in the world is being destroyed.  

A few months ago, Greenpeace published a report called Eating up the Amazon.  When I first saw this report, I couldn’t believe what I was reading.  Was it really possible that the Amazon was being destroyed to feed chickens?!  I couldn’t believe that the lungs of the earth were being ripped apart to provide feed for the fast food industry in Europe.   It seemed completely unacceptable to me so I started telling everyone I knew about the destruction of the Amazon for soy.  

After learning that there was an American company operating an illegal soy facility in the Amazon, I knew that I had a responsibility to take action and get this message out.   Cargill is the largest privately owned company in the US, possibly the world.  I felt that people, especially Americans, should know about Cargill’s role in the destruction of the Amazon for soy.  

Some of you may already have heard about the Greenpeace actions in the Amazon a few weeks ago.  I was one of the climbers that shut down Cargill’s illegal soy facility in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.  If you haven’t heard about the action or want to read more check out the story here.  I went to the Amazon to bear witness to the destruction of the Amazon and highlight Cargill’s role in this destruction.  It was a long day to say the least.  I had never been involved in a direct action that was met with such violence and hostility.  Throughout the day, I thought of all of the activists and campaigners that have been working to save the Amazon for years.  Activists like Sister Dorothy Stang that were brutally murdered for their roles in the protection of the Amazon.  I am humbled by the work that has been done to save the Amazon and I feel honored to consider myself part of that work.

I made it home with an injured ankle, some bumps and bruises and a new appreciation for exactly how much pepper spray burns your eyes.  I have seen the Amazon rainforest and its destruction first hand.  The fight to stop the destruction of the Amazon seems urgent to me now, more than ever.  Please join me in this fight.  Read the Eating up the Amazon report, take action and tell your friends and family about the destruction of the Amazon.  Companies like KFC need to commit to stop destroying the Amazon for soy.