Fernando Pereira

Fernando Pereira was a Portuguese-Dutch photographer and Greenpeace activist who gained international recognition for his tragic death during a Greenpeace protest against French nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean. Pereira was born in Portugal and later moved to the Netherlands, where he became involved with Greenpeace Netherlands. He participated in several Greenpeace campaigns, including protests against whaling and seal hunting, alongside Paul Watson and other notable activists. Pereira's work also took him to various locations, such as the Arctic and the Amazon rainforest, where he worked with indigenous peoples like the Kayapó people.

● Early Life and Education

Fernando Pereira was born in 1950 in Portugal, where he spent his early years before moving to the Netherlands with his family. He developed an interest in photography at a young age and went on to study at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, where he honed his skills alongside other notable photographers like Annie Leibovitz and Richard Avedon. Pereira's education also took him to the United States, where he attended workshops and seminars at institutions like the International Center of Photography in New York City. During his time in the Netherlands, Pereira became involved with various environmental organizations, including Greenpeace Netherlands and the World Wildlife Fund, which were founded by Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld and Julian Huxley.

● Career

Pereira's career as a photographer took him to various locations around the world, including the Amazon rainforest, where he worked with indigenous peoples like the Kayapó people and Vandana Shiva. He also participated in several Greenpeace campaigns, including protests against whaling and seal hunting, alongside Paul Watson and other notable activists like Pete Seeger and Joan Baez. Pereira's work was published in various media outlets, including The New York Times, The Guardian, and Der Spiegel, which were founded by Adolph Ochs and Bertrand Russell. He also worked with other notable photographers, such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Dorothea Lange, who were influenced by Walker Evans and Bill Brandt.

● Greenpeace and

the Rainbow Warrior In 1985, Pereira joined the crew of the Rainbow Warrior, a Greenpeace ship that was protesting French nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean. The ship was docked in Auckland, New Zealand, when it was bombed by the French Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), led by Admiral Pierre Lacoste. The bombing killed Pereira and injured several others, including Greenpeace activists like Steve Sawyer and Kelly Mitchell. The incident sparked international outrage and led to a major scandal for the French government, which was led by President François Mitterrand and Prime Minister Laurent Fabius.

● Death and Investigation

Pereira's death was met with widespread condemnation, and an investigation was launched into the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. The investigation, led by the New Zealand Police, revealed that the bombing was carried out by the French Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), which was responsible for intelligence gathering and counter-terrorism. The incident led to a major diplomatic row between France and New Zealand, with Prime Minister David Lange demanding that France take responsibility for the bombing. The incident also led to the resignation of the French Minister of Defence, Charles Hernu, who was replaced by Paul Quilès.

● Legacy and Impact

Pereira's death had a significant impact on the environmental movement, and he is still remembered as a martyr for the cause. The incident also led to a major increase in support for Greenpeace and other environmental organizations, which were inspired by the work of Rachel Carson and Jacques Cousteau. Pereira's legacy continues to inspire activists around the world, including Greta Thunberg and Extinction Rebellion, which were founded by Roger Hallam and Rupert Read. His work as a photographer also continues to be celebrated, with exhibitions of his work being held at institutions like the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and the Tate Modern in London.

● Personal Life

Pereira was known for his passion for photography and his commitment to environmental causes. He was also a talented musician and enjoyed playing the guitar in his free time. Pereira's personal life was marked by his relationships with other activists, including Greenpeace colleagues like Petra Kelly and Gert Bastian. He also had a close relationship with his family, who were involved in various social justice causes, including the anti-apartheid movement and the feminist movement, which were led by Nelson Mandela and Gloria Steinem. Pereira's legacy continues to be celebrated by his family and friends, who remember him as a dedicated and passionate individual who gave his life for a cause he believed in. Category:Greenpeace activists