Chile protests - London solidarity rally

London: Showing solidarity with workers on the mass demonstrations in Chile (Click to enlarge)

On 26 October, more than 500 Chilean people from around Britain congregated in London to show their enthusiastic support for the mass struggle against the Piñera regime taking place in Chile. It was part of a week-long solidarity protests.

For more than three hours beside the London Eye and opposite parliament, in the blustery rain, they sang and danced, banged their pots and pans, shouted their demands for an end to the Piñera regime and listened to speeches.

Leaflets given out in Spanish and English, with a declaration from Socialismo Revolucionario, the Socialist Party's sister organisation in Chile, were snapped up. It expressed full support for the Chilean working and poor people, and called for general strike action, a revolutionary constituent assembly, and a government of workers.

Clare Doyle addressed the rally on behalf of the Socialist Party and the Committee for a Workers International.

Applause

Clare was interrupted by loud applause when she mentioned the need for a revolutionary constituent assembly and spoke of how committees in the workplaces and the neighbourhoods could be linked up on a regional and national basis to get rid of the regime of the rich and the constitution of former dictator general Pinochet.

"Fuera Piñera!" (Piñera out!) was on placards produced by the Socialist Party, with other demands in English. Some demonstrators took them home as souvenirs of international solidarity with their momentous struggle.

The Socialist was also enthusiastically received, as was news of the big Socialism 2019 event in London this weekend, where the Chilean events will no doubt feature in a number of discussions.

Chris Newby, Hackney Socialist Party

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