Brazilian environmentalist Sirkis killed in car crash
JULY 10, 2020 / 4:46 PM / UPDATED 6 HOURS AGO
2 MIN READ
BRASILIA (Reuters) - Environmentalist Alfredo Sirkis, a founder of Brazil’s Green Party and a tireless campaigner for policies to curb climate change, died on Friday in a car crash, television network TV Globo said.
Sirkis, 69, was killed when the car he was driving hit a post on a highway outside his hometown Rio de Janeiro, broadcaster TV Globo reported, citing firemen at the crash.
A former leftist guerrilla, Sirkis was involved in the kidnapping of foreign diplomats to secure the release of political prisoners during Brazil’s 1964-1985 military dictatorship.
Following years in exile and one year after Brazil returned to democratic rule, Sirkis co-founded the Green Party with fellow environmentalist Marina Silva, who came third in the 2010 elections with 19% of the vote.
Silva said Sirkis was an invaluable companion with whom she fought difficult political battles side by side.
“He was explosive and passionate about everything he believed in, sincere in criticism as in praise, a tireless activist of the causes he defended, a warrior of infinite tenderness,” she said in a statement.
More:
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-brazil-environment-sirkis/brazilian-environmentalist-sirkis-killed-in-car-crash-idUKKBN24B32M
