I would like to congratulate professor David Heap on his excellent article about the important lessons of the Chilean coup, 40 years later (Four decades later, coup in Chile offers lessons, Sept. 5).
As a Canadian who was living and studying in Chile at the time, I remember those days as being filled with danger and dread, but also with courage, solidarity and hope.
Heap mentioned the bravery of a few Canadian officials, like Mark Dolgin and David Adam, who, at great personal risk, gave shelter in their own homes to the first Chilean refugees. I would also like to mention the role of Bob Thomson, the brave whistle-blower. He was working for CIDA at the time and he leaked the diplomatic cables that our ambassador, Andrew Ross, had been sending to Ottawa. The cables revealed Ross supported the coup and was opposed to Canada accepting any more Chilean refugees. The leaks provoked a wave of protest in Canada and led to a review of our refugee policy. As Heap mentions, Canada ended up accepting thousands of Chileans, who have since enriched this country’s cultural, economic and social life.
Here, in London, we will be marking this anniversary with two events. A documentary film on the life of Victor Jara, The Right to Live in Peace, will be shown at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at King’s University College, Vitali Lounge. A week-long art exhibit by the same name will open at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 at the Medium Gallery, 870 Dundas St.
Please join us in remembering the brave men and women who fought for the values of democracy, justice, equality and solidarity.
Marie-France Arismendi
Latin American-Canadian Solidarity Association (LACASA)