” Allende is remembered & revered for the decent visionary socialist he was. Pinochet & the Generals are detested for the violent thugs they were. “
Jeremy Corbyn MP
Today is the anniversary of Pinochet’s coup against Salvador Allende’s elected Government in Chile.
My first visit to Chile was in 1969. Popular Unity was assembling its programme, the May Day March was full of hopeful talk of the left coming together to elect a President who would lead the transformation of Chile.
A year later Allende was elected and assumed office.
The message around the globe was electric. A socialist platform to transform society in favour of the many was being implemented.
The flowering of art, imagination, protest, demand had resulted in new homes, schools, access to university and real hope for millions.
The opposition in Chile, conservative and bitter were emboldened by the resources of the very biggest corporations and the world’s most powerful state, the USA.
Three years of global solidarity from millions and opposition from millionaires led to the coup of 1973. British supplied planes bombed the President. The reign of terror set in. Thousands were murdered.
The only way to remember this is the heroism of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And of the naked power of the richest and most powerful to retain their privilege and wealth.
Fifty years on from his election, Allende is remembered and revered for the decent visionary socialist he was. Pinochet and the Generals are detested for the violent thugs they were.
The songs of Victor Jara and the poetry of Neruda will never go away.
That is because there are millions of us as determined as ever to create that decent world of equality, peace and justice.
- This was originally published on Jeremy Corbyn’s Facebook Page Here.
