In October 2019 a wave of protests broke out in Chile against austerity and the rising cost of living. More than a million Chileans took to the streets to demand greater democracy and a new constitution.

They were met with severe repression from the army and police that reminded many of the violence used by General Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship (1973-1990). There have also been countless Human Rights violations. Over 200 Chileans have lost an eye, many have been imprisoned and others beaten viciously in the streets. To reflect on the current situation and parallels with the past, we showed the film “Crafting the Resistance” about acts of resistance using art during the Chilean dictatorship directed by Carmen Luz Parot and Gloria Miqueles, produced by Dr Jasmine Gideon (2018). The film was followed by a panel discussion with some of those in the film who fought against the Chilean dictatorship in the 1970s and 1980s. We asked what the similarities and differences are between the situation in Chile today and the one that existed during the dictatorship. We also discussed what Chileans today might learn from past repertoires of resistance and how art can be used for powerful political, personal ends.
 
Panel discussion with: Sara De Witt (Political Prisoner, Chilean Exile, Social Worker); Ana María Pelusa (Clandestine Resistance, Political Prisoner, Chile Democrático, CAMUR, Bordando La Memoría); Dr Hernando Fernández-Canque (Clandestine Resistance, Political Prisoner, Senior Lecture Glasgow Caledonian University, President of the Chilean Community in Exile in South Yorkshire, Colectivo de Unidad Democratica London, Asamblea Chilena de Londres, Cuba Solidarity Campaign); Dr Sergio Vasquez (Political Prisoner and Exile, ChileSCDA, Sheffield)

The event was chaired by Dr Tanya Harmer, Associate Professor in the Department of International History at LSE.

Watch the documentary.

Listen to the podcast.

See pictures of the event.

Event sponsored by the department's The Americas in World History Research Cluster.

The Department of International History (@lsehistory) teaches and conducts research on the international history of Britain, Europe and the world from the early modern era up to the present day.