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Feb 27, 20
Filed under: Action, Anarchist Movement, Solidarity
Report back from international day of solidarity with the revolt in Chile, which featured events across the world, including in the US and Mexico.
In early January, Anarchists in Chile called for a day of international tattoo fundraisers to support the Chileans who have been arrested over the past 4 months since the start of the Chilean Uprising on October 18th, 2019.
More than 35,000 people have been arrested but 2,500 people are being held in preventative detention, which means a judge declares that they are still a risk to society and will be held in prison until their trial. Over 400 people have suffered ocular trauma from being shot by rubber bullets or tear gas canisters by the police, and many have lost their lives. These numbers are constantly increasing as the revolt is far from over and the Chilean people are still showing up to combat police and to protest the unbearable society that the neoliberal system has produced.
In response to this call for solidarity, distinct groups and individuals organized 18 autonomous events in 6 different countries.
This included events in:
ARGENTINA: BUENOS AIRES, CÓRDOBA
CHILE: SANTIAGO, VALPARAISO
GERMANY: BERLIN
MEXICO: MEXICO CITY
SWEDEN: STOCKHOLM
USA: ASHEVILLE, ATLANTA, BLOOMINGTON, BROOKLYN, LOS ANGELES, RICHMOND, TUCSON, SAN DIEGO, SEATTLE
On February 15th people received amazing artwork all around the world from talented artists in the spirit of revolt and solidarity. In addition to tattoos, each event had its own particular charm. In Santiago, there were live DJ´s and an anarchist distro brought their newspapers documenting the revolt. In Berlin, organizers prepared vegan food, displayed artwork for sale, and facilitated a discussion about the current moment in the Chilean revolt. Event Organizers in Tucson hosted their event at the local social movement space and collaborated with tattoo artists from Mexico City who traveled to Tucson to tattoo at the event, and during the event songs that have been popularized in the Chilean uprising were played. There has been so much positive feedback from both participants and organizers. Some shops even are even choosing to continue the fundraiser with the flash they designed for their February 15th events.
While the initial call was for tattoo related fundraisers, several cities also hosted non-tattoo related events. On top of the dozen of Tattoo Flash Days, a crew in Richmond hosted a well attended benefit Show. At the show, the headlining band´s lead vocalist spoke about their familial connection to Chile, where their grandfather was targeted by fascists in the the 1970s. A crew in Bloomington have spent the past year hosting a monthly, ¨Rave against Racism,” a benefit dance party at a local queer bar. “Rave against Racism” raises money for a different cause each month, and for February they chose to organize the party in solidarity with the Chilean rebels. The entrance was decorated with images from the uprising, and many conversations were had around what is happening in Chile. In Seattle and a prisoner support event in Seattle hosted by Puget Sound Prisoner Support!
If you are looking for in-depth coverage, analysis, and interviews with Chileans participating in following the uprising since October to January, we encourage you to check out Radio Evasion. Produced in both English and Spanish. This is an excellent resource for those wanting to try to understand the complex history and repression people are facing as well as their inspirational bravery and insights into what has kept the revolt going for the past 4 months and is showing no signs of stopping.
CrimethInc. Podcasts on the Chilean Revolt:
Episode #1 Reports from fare-dodging to a week of full-blown revolt
Episode #2 neighborhood assemblies & daily rioting downtown
Episode #3 Narratives of daily conflict, Anarchist analysis
Episode #4 Mauricio Fredes, Prisoner support, Anarchist assemblies
A lot of money as well as awareness has been raised, but the upcoming months now more than ever need our attention. Chile is moving into a pivotal point in this uprising where the future is precarious and undetermined. Here are a few key dates in March to follow.
March 2nd: Super Monday; March for the resignation of President Sebastián Piñera
March 6th: March to end SENAME (Servicio Nacional de Menores); the Chilean foster care system
March 8th: March for Internernational Women’s Day
March 9th: Feminist General Strike
March 11th: Protest against Piñera; two year anniversary of Piñera’s regime
March 16th-22nd: Week of international action for the release of political prisoners
March 18th: 5 month anniversary of the uprising
March 22nd: World Water Day
March 29th: Day of the Youth Combatant
Thank you to all who have participated this February 15th!
Salud y (A)
