Activists Block Illegal Mahogany
Groups Call for Mahogany Import Ban to End Amazon Murders
May 3, 1996

(Savannah, GA) This morning at approximately 7:00 AM EST, thirteen activists from Rainforest Action Network and affiliated Southeastern human rights groups boarded the Brazilian cargo ship Frota Belem in Savannah Harbor to prevent the ship from unloading its cargo of Brazilian Mahogany,which was pirated from indigenous peoples' land in the Amazon. By 7:30 AM,the activists had climbed the ship's central mast and two cranes, and had hung a huge 15 x 40 foot banner from the bow of the ship that read: "Ban Mahogany Imports, Save the Amazon!" The thirteen activists stayed locked in position for five hours, and prevented the contraband from being unloaded. They came down from the ship to meet with the Georgia Port Authority, agents from the shipping line and U.S. Customs, who agreed to hear the allegations of piracy. No charges were pressed against the demonstrators.

The majority of Brazilian mahogany imported into the United States is logged illegally on indigenous peoples' lands and national parks in the Amazon rainforest, leading to environmental devastation and human rights abuses. Nearly half of all mahogany exports from Latin America end up in U.S. markets. Savannah's port receives almost half of Brazil's mahogany shipments.

Extensive harvesting of mahogany has driven loggers to move into previously untouched areas, not only doing extensive harm to the rainforest, but also opening up forest regions for further settlement and development by miners, ranchers, and farmers. Most of this unharvested mahogany is on Indian lands. Brazilian newspapers report that dozens of mahogany opponents from at least nine indigenous groups have been murdered since 1988.

Because Americans consume half of Latin America's mahogany exports, we bear a particular responsibility for ending the cycle of violence and destruction occurring in conjunction with mahogany harvesting. Says Atossa Soltani, RAN Rainforest Wood campaigner: "American consumers are the unwitting accomplices in a murderous trade." We can make a stand for human rights and saving the Amazon rainforest by banning the import of mahogany."

Mahogany exemplifies a general trend in the Amazon, in which the pursuit of timber, oil, and minerals fuels the destruction of the Brazilian Amazon and creates human rights' abuses in the region. A new wave of mega-developments is planned for the region, including roads and waterways that will open up the Amazon to further exploitation. In addition, the Brazilian government recently enacted Decree #1775, which undermines the Brazilian constitution's guarantee that indigenous peoples have a right to their ancestral lands. A clear signal on the mahogany issue will demonstrate that the world is paying attention to Brazil on human rights and environmental issues.