Celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Katy Perry urged U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday to not sign any environmental deal with Brazil as deforestation in the Amazon rises.
Moreover, the US and Brazilian celebrities also included Uzo Aduba, Jane Fonda, Mark Ruffalo, Rosario Dawson, Alyssa Milano, Orlando Bloom, Joaquin Phoenix, Sigourney Weaver, Misha Collins, Brazilian actress Sônia Braga, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, British singer Roger Waters, Alice Braga, Wagner Moura, and filmmaker Fernando Meirelles.
In a letter, the 35 celebrities said an accord risked legitimizing a government that was encouraging environmental destruction.
In the open letter, they called on Biden to "not commit to any agreements with Brazil at this time" and that any deal should listen to indigenous and environmental groups as well as state and local governments first.
"We join a growing coalition... in urging your administration to reject any deal with Brazil until deforestation is reduced, human rights are respected, and meaningful participation by civil society is met," the letter said. "A deal with Bolsonaro is not the solution."
The letter was supported by Amazon Watch, Artists for Amazonia, We Stand United, and 342 Amazonia,
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has weakened protections, calling for economic development in the rainforest. His office has not commented.
The document follows another letter earlier this month in which more than 200 Brazilian groups hoped that Biden would not sign any deal with the Bolsonaro government, saying it did not have legitimacy to represent Brazil.
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