NEWS RELEASE
"Not 9/11 but 11th September Chileans reclaim the date" Glasgow will play host to two significant events in September. As the US prepares to remember the terrorist atrocity that brought down the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York, millions of Chileans at home and abroad and their supporters continue the preparations to commemorate 30 years of the fall of the democratic government of socialist president Salvador Allende on 11 September 1973.
The date, known by Chileans as 11th September, marks an important milestone in the history of the country. It was on that day thirty years ago that the Chilean military overthrew the constitutional government and installed a brutal dictatorship that lasted almost 17 years and resulted in thousands of deaths and `disappearances', widespread repression and exile.
This year's commemorations will be bigger and more significant than ever before. They take place against the backdrop of renewed activity in the Chilean courts against military personnel responsible for human rights abuses under General Pinochet. There are also growing trade union demands for changes to the neo-liberal economic model inherited by the democratic governments that have followed since 1990.
In Scotland, the commemorations, jointly sponsored by Amnesty International, Chile Democratico (Scotland) and the STUC, will centre on two main events. The first, on September 11th at the City Chambers in Glasgow, will witness the lighting of a symbolic candle in memory of Pinochet's victims accompanied by a public statement signed by well-known personalities supporting democracy and human rights around the world. The second, on September 13th at the Scottish Trade Union Centre in Glasgow, will
Tel: 0141 337 8100 / Fax: 0141 337 8101 / Email: info@stuc.org.uk
be a public event of a social and cultural nature with live music from Chilean and Scots musicians.
The commemorations' sponsors will provide further details of the events nearer the date. For further information and arrangements to interview representatives of the Chilean community or/and the co-sponsoring groups, please contact Oscar Mendoza (Chile Democratico) on 0771 952 6816 or Bill Speirs (STUC General Secretary).
ENDS
Tel: 0141 337 8100 / Fax: 0141 337 8101 / Email: info@stuc.org.uk
Notes to editors: During the mid nineteen seventies, a small number of Chilean exiles came to Scotland as refugees and settled mainly in the cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee and surrounding areas. With support from the local authorities, trades unions, political parties and many other bodies and individuals, they were able to restart their shattered lives in our country. Some of them still remain here and play an active role in Scottish society. Chile Democratico (Scotland) acts as their representative body and organises political, social, cultural and community activities in collaboration with other Latin Americans in Scotland.
The public statement (attached) co-sponsored by Amnesty International, Chile Democratico (Scotland) and the STUC will be launched on 11 September 2003 at the City Chambers in Glasgow with the support of the Lord Provost Liz Cameron, following the lighting of the symbolic candle by Rosemary Burnett, Programme Director for Amnesty in Scotland. Many Scottish personalities from the worlds of politics, trades unionism, the churches, human rights, the media, the arts, etc. are expected to sign up to the statement.
Signed copies should be returned to the Scottish Trade Union Centre in Glasgow. Additional copies are available on the STUC website (www.stuc.org.uk).