32 years since the Military Coup in Chile

A Remembrance of 32 years since the Military Coup in Chile: The other September 11th

By hommodolars

September 11th, 1973, marks a dark day in Chilean history. On this date, the Chilean military, under the leadership of Pinochet, began a coup to overthrow the country’s own long running democracy. There had been growing political tensions since the late 1960s. In 1970, leftist president, Salvador Allende began his term. The United States assisted the military and far right in overthrowing the democracy, and after the coup, further steps were taken to murder, torture, and disappear political opposition to the dictatorship.

This September 11th began with a traditional memorial march to the general cemetery [in the capital, Santiago]. Diverse groups, organizations, and collectives marched from the plaza, los heroes, until the general cemetery. The cemetery is the location of a memorial of victims from the dictatorship era. Some of the protesters marched to create a memorial for the disappeared during the dictatorship years. While, other youth protested in another manner against the power of September 11th and its significance as an icon of authoritarian domination. Despite the end of Pinochet’s official rule, this period of domination has not yet concluded.

The form of protest was on one end a pacifist march with classic leftist chants, and on the other end, it was a direct confrontation with guardians of the state, capital, and social institutions which empower these authoritarian organizations.

Many of these marchers engaged in direct action outside of the cemetery. The protestors raised barricades to contain police violence, and the objective was met with some success. Even though a resistance was put into place, the police were still able to enter the cemetery.

More actions will be continuing throughout the day.

Photos from the daytime march:

http://www.hommodolars.cl/e107/content.php?content.649

http://www.hommodolars.cl/e107/content.php?content.653

http://santiago.indymedia.org


[Editorial addition]: Corporate media reported that street fighting during the night of September 11th in various Santiago neighborhoods left one teenager dead from a gunshot wound, 87 people arrested and 21 police officers wounded, with a police captain in serious condition. Also, rebels disabled power lines and raised burning barricades in the streets.


Revolt and Repression in the Prelude to Chile’s 32nd Coup Anniversary (September 9th, 2005):
http://bc.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/5021

Street Battles in Chile as Coup Anniversary Approaches (September 7, 2005):
http://bc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/4970/