Summary
The desperate search for an Indigenous rights advocate and renowned journalist in a remote area of the Amazon in Brazil has come to a grim conclusion. Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips disappeared on June 5, when they were last seen on their boat near the entrance of the Javari Valley Indigenous Territory, which borders Peru and Colombia. Their remains were found about two weeks later, and on Saturday, a third murder suspect was arrested . For the sake of time, we recommend watching the first part of the video which stops at 3m:20 . You may also choose another story from the weekend newscast by clicking the link below and answering the following questions:
Five Facts
- Who were the two people killed?
- What were their goals or reasons for working in the Amazon?
- When were the journalist and activist first thought to be missing?
- Why were these two people targeted?
- How did Brazilian President Bolsonaro respond to their deaths?
Focus Questions
- Among the environmentally harmful activities listed in the Amazon (illegal mining, illegal hunting, illegal fishing, deforestation), which one do you think is the most dangerous to the environment?
- In the clip shown of President Bolsonaro’s response, his reaction was mainly one of “indifference” to the men murdered. Why do you think the President acted the way he did? How might his stance on the environment have influenced his response? (see For More section below)
For More
What students can do : What small steps can you take in your daily lives to help the environment? What are some ways that you can help forests and decrease deforestation? Read more:
Evelyn Chi, a rising sophomore at Amherst College and intern with NewsHour Classroom, wrote today’s Daily News Lesson with editing by Vic Pasquantonio.
