The international human rights organization Global Witness defines land and environmental defenders as “ordinary people trying to peacefully protect their homes, livelihoods and the health of our planet from the harmful impacts of industries like oil and gas, mining and agribusiness. For years, they have led the global fight against the causes and impacts of climate breakdown, challenging irresponsible businesses rampaging unhampered through forests, wetlands, oceans and biodiversity hotspots.” In the past two decades alone, thousands of defenders have been murdered around the world, a significant number of them in Latin America (especially Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, and Mexico). 

On these pages, you can encounter the witness of six of these “ecomartyrs” through stories that have been told, through songs that people sing, and art that people make to remember them and carry on their legacy.

Art by: Grace McMullen, Tabletop Prints