1 00:00:53,353 --> 00:00:56,649 THE BATTLE OF CHILE 2 00:00:56,823 --> 00:01:00,687 The struggle of an unarmed people 3 00:01:02,162 --> 00:01:05,924 Part Three THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE 4 00:01:07,434 --> 00:01:10,798 a Patricio Guzmán Film 5 00:02:47,734 --> 00:02:51,222 In memory of Jorge Müller Silva 6 00:03:15,994 --> 00:03:20,586 Allende! Allende! 7 00:03:20,667 --> 00:03:25,463 Allende! Allende! 8 00:03:39,285 --> 00:03:42,683 The left, united, will never be defeated! 9 00:04:02,709 --> 00:04:05,868 Santiago de Chile, 1972. 10 00:04:06,112 --> 00:04:07,510 In only 18 months 11 00:04:07,714 --> 00:04:09,771 Salvador Allende's socialist government 12 00:04:09,915 --> 00:04:13,848 has carried out a large part of its social change program. 13 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:17,714 Over a year and a half, it has nationalized 14 00:04:17,923 --> 00:04:21,912 the big copper, iron, coal, nitrate and cement mines. 15 00:04:31,538 --> 00:04:34,197 In this time, the State manages to control 16 00:04:34,407 --> 00:04:36,532 most of Chile's principal monopolist companies. 17 00:04:36,810 --> 00:04:41,105 Allende, we're with you, so hit the "mummies" hard! 18 00:04:49,222 --> 00:04:50,915 It has also expropriated 19 00:04:51,157 --> 00:04:53,385 6 million hectares of arable land 20 00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:57,014 and nationalized almost all national and foreign banks. 21 00:05:58,758 --> 00:06:01,588 During these 18 months, the North American government 22 00:06:01,794 --> 00:06:03,259 and the internal opposition 23 00:06:03,496 --> 00:06:05,325 have seriously hampered the government's work. 24 00:06:05,698 --> 00:06:09,790 Despite this, Allende still receives firm support 25 00:06:09,968 --> 00:06:11,867 from wide sectors of the population. 26 00:06:19,445 --> 00:06:27,367 Allende, Allende, the people will defend you! 27 00:06:43,001 --> 00:06:44,729 Towards the end of 1972 28 00:06:44,936 --> 00:06:46,368 the toughest sector of the opposition 29 00:06:46,606 --> 00:06:48,333 reaffirms its strategy. 30 00:06:48,974 --> 00:06:51,304 The National Party insists on the need 31 00:06:51,511 --> 00:06:52,999 to provoke the fall of the government 32 00:06:53,212 --> 00:06:55,770 before the next parliamentary elections. 33 00:06:56,149 --> 00:06:58,809 To do this, they encourage a truckers' strike 34 00:06:59,018 --> 00:07:03,007 which spearheads a general collapse of the economy. 35 00:07:03,690 --> 00:07:06,951 The scarcity of spare parts, fomented by the U.S. 36 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:09,456 creates ideal conditions for the National Party 37 00:07:09,629 --> 00:07:12,094 to win control of the truck owners' organization. 38 00:07:12,298 --> 00:07:15,628 If we, the means of mobilization 39 00:07:15,802 --> 00:07:17,734 want an acceptable solution, 40 00:07:17,936 --> 00:07:21,891 then we'll have no more tricks, no more zigzagging! 41 00:07:22,141 --> 00:07:24,334 We are going after a solution 42 00:07:24,510 --> 00:07:26,874 to the problems of tariffs and spare parts 43 00:07:27,113 --> 00:07:29,136 of adequate reorganization. 44 00:07:29,348 --> 00:07:31,973 We want more justice and less bureaucracy. 45 00:07:32,185 --> 00:07:34,583 And so we're asking you 46 00:07:34,754 --> 00:07:37,049 for your support so that our Board of Management 47 00:07:37,323 --> 00:07:39,346 can work from this position. 48 00:07:39,725 --> 00:07:43,157 We believe that the time has come when 49 00:07:43,496 --> 00:07:45,428 as one single man, one single trucker 50 00:07:45,631 --> 00:07:47,460 and along with the women 51 00:07:47,533 --> 00:07:50,158 who are participating side by side in this 52 00:07:50,336 --> 00:07:53,769 we have no alternative but to raise the banners 53 00:07:53,972 --> 00:07:55,598 of an indefinite, decisive strike 54 00:07:55,875 --> 00:07:58,534 whatever the consequences 55 00:07:58,745 --> 00:08:01,768 If we have to perish in misery, 56 00:08:02,048 --> 00:08:03,980 in bankruptcy and ruin 57 00:08:04,217 --> 00:08:05,774 let's do it on our feet 58 00:08:05,984 --> 00:08:08,143 vibrant, upright and proud 59 00:08:08,354 --> 00:08:10,843 for that's the image of the poor Chilean 60 00:08:11,090 --> 00:08:13,716 expressed through this organization! Thank you. 61 00:08:31,277 --> 00:08:33,436 And that, gentlemen 62 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,008 was how the Confederation's Board 63 00:08:36,248 --> 00:08:38,510 gave the necessary instructions 64 00:08:38,684 --> 00:08:41,775 to all our fellow organizations 65 00:08:42,020 --> 00:08:46,510 so that from yesterday, Tuesday, at midnight 66 00:08:46,759 --> 00:08:49,224 all services in Chile would be paralyzed. 67 00:08:58,871 --> 00:09:01,735 Therefore, we have fulfilled, gentlemen 68 00:09:01,973 --> 00:09:04,439 the mandate which the national assembly 69 00:09:04,644 --> 00:09:07,337 gave to the Board of this Confederation. 70 00:09:18,424 --> 00:09:21,015 On October 11, 1972 71 00:09:21,227 --> 00:09:23,920 the first transport strike begins. 72 00:09:31,570 --> 00:09:33,933 The next day, the truckers get the support 73 00:09:34,173 --> 00:09:36,105 of the National Agricultural Society 74 00:09:36,275 --> 00:09:38,707 and of large and small storekeepers 75 00:09:38,844 --> 00:09:41,139 who also call a stoppage. 76 00:09:48,821 --> 00:09:52,218 On the night of October 14, the Christian Democrat party 77 00:09:52,458 --> 00:09:54,720 also resolve to support the strike. 78 00:10:03,769 --> 00:10:07,428 Urban and highway transport is a strategic sector 79 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:09,299 of the production chain. 80 00:10:09,608 --> 00:10:10,869 The absence of vehicles 81 00:10:11,110 --> 00:10:12,838 disrupts the supply of raw materials 82 00:10:13,145 --> 00:10:15,703 and interrupts distribution on a national scale. 83 00:10:18,484 --> 00:10:21,348 The New York Times would later reveal 84 00:10:21,554 --> 00:10:23,452 that the main economic support for the strike 85 00:10:23,656 --> 00:10:25,917 came from the U.S. Government. 86 00:10:32,264 --> 00:10:33,730 The big employers 87 00:10:33,965 --> 00:10:36,090 grouped in the Society for Manufacturing Development 88 00:10:36,335 --> 00:10:37,925 also halt production 89 00:10:38,137 --> 00:10:41,035 and begin an indefinite closure of their factories. 90 00:10:49,081 --> 00:10:51,343 These sectors defend private companies 91 00:10:51,584 --> 00:10:54,880 and reject any kind of socialization of the economy. 92 00:11:00,259 --> 00:11:02,657 Chilean industry has grouped together 93 00:11:02,861 --> 00:11:05,554 in the Society for Manufacturing Development 94 00:11:05,764 --> 00:11:07,787 of which I am president. 95 00:11:08,033 --> 00:11:13,227 This institution is the oldest of its kind in Latin America. 96 00:11:13,372 --> 00:11:16,202 It was founded in 1883. 97 00:11:16,409 --> 00:11:18,807 To date it has had 19 presidents 98 00:11:19,010 --> 00:11:20,499 and I'm the 20th. 99 00:11:20,713 --> 00:11:23,235 Historically, the Society for Manufacturing Development 100 00:11:23,482 --> 00:11:26,812 is a mouthpiece for big national and foreign capital. 101 00:11:27,186 --> 00:11:28,913 During the October strike 102 00:11:29,188 --> 00:11:31,484 it represents the main industrialists. 103 00:11:32,691 --> 00:11:36,817 We asked the industrialists to submit to this movement 104 00:11:37,062 --> 00:11:39,722 and they submitted to it, as persons. 105 00:11:39,931 --> 00:11:42,864 Industry was paralyzed in many places 106 00:11:43,068 --> 00:11:44,897 and that was because 107 00:11:45,237 --> 00:11:47,567 many groups of workers followed the movement 108 00:11:47,806 --> 00:11:49,863 professional workers, such as engineers 109 00:11:50,042 --> 00:11:52,167 bank employees, health workers 110 00:11:52,378 --> 00:11:55,003 professionals such as lawyers and engineers. 111 00:11:55,247 --> 00:11:57,213 And there were storekeepers 112 00:11:57,416 --> 00:11:59,575 small and medium-sized industrialists. 113 00:11:59,785 --> 00:12:02,046 Really, all of industry and commerce. 114 00:12:02,321 --> 00:12:05,845 It was a movement which took in extremely wide sectors. 115 00:12:12,598 --> 00:12:15,792 In Santiago, 70%% % of private buses 116 00:12:16,035 --> 00:12:17,365 stop working. 117 00:12:17,670 --> 00:12:20,795 The country's urban communications are in crisis. 118 00:12:23,042 --> 00:12:26,008 The workers take factory trucks on the streets 119 00:12:26,245 --> 00:12:28,803 and improvise minimum transport. 120 00:12:29,048 --> 00:12:32,378 Given the emergency they fight the strike from the start. 121 00:12:51,337 --> 00:12:53,303 In response to the government's call 122 00:12:53,506 --> 00:12:56,768 the great majority of workers get to their jobs. 123 00:12:57,909 --> 00:13:00,068 As soon as we heard 124 00:13:00,312 --> 00:13:03,278 that the carriers had voted for the strike 125 00:13:03,482 --> 00:13:06,573 we thought it was a maneuver against the government. 126 00:13:06,652 --> 00:13:09,083 We had a meeting immediately to take precautions 127 00:13:09,288 --> 00:13:12,686 for this is a state company and we have to look after it. 128 00:13:13,125 --> 00:13:15,318 We worked every day, as normal. 129 00:13:15,561 --> 00:13:17,356 We arrived late, but we got here. 130 00:13:17,696 --> 00:13:18,956 How did you come? 131 00:13:19,064 --> 00:13:20,621 In trucks, or whatever. 132 00:13:20,866 --> 00:13:23,093 The factory put on trucks, and got private buses 133 00:13:23,268 --> 00:13:25,097 and we came in them. 134 00:13:25,504 --> 00:13:29,800 We're here to work, and give our support to the factory. 135 00:13:30,075 --> 00:13:31,837 And how did you manage to get here? 136 00:13:32,010 --> 00:13:35,534 We came in the bus, on foot, or whatever. 137 00:13:35,781 --> 00:13:37,212 The important thing was to get here. 138 00:13:37,282 --> 00:13:39,840 Some comrades who worked lent us their trucks 139 00:13:40,085 --> 00:13:42,881 and we used those to get to work and go back home. 140 00:13:43,021 --> 00:13:45,351 - Did the factory stop? - No, never. 141 00:13:46,358 --> 00:13:49,915 Our attitude is that we'll always keep working 142 00:13:50,162 --> 00:13:51,685 to cooperate with the government. 143 00:13:52,164 --> 00:13:56,926 So we've done everything that's within our power 144 00:13:57,136 --> 00:13:59,102 in order to be able to stand by the government. 145 00:13:59,304 --> 00:14:01,997 We've never missed work during the strikes. 146 00:14:02,308 --> 00:14:04,774 We've always been here, regular as clockwork. 147 00:14:05,611 --> 00:14:09,008 - It's a seditious strike. - How did the workers respond? 148 00:14:09,281 --> 00:14:11,713 By working as normal every day. 149 00:14:12,251 --> 00:14:16,183 And there were even young mothers 150 00:14:16,488 --> 00:14:18,852 who came to work with their babies in their arms 151 00:14:19,091 --> 00:14:20,989 and even pregnant women turned up. 152 00:14:29,635 --> 00:14:32,123 Meanwhile, in the center of Santiago 153 00:14:32,304 --> 00:14:35,134 the opposition's agitators attack those buses 154 00:14:35,340 --> 00:14:37,431 which haven't joined the strike. 155 00:14:50,088 --> 00:14:51,645 In the residential areas 156 00:14:51,890 --> 00:14:55,515 most industrial executives, engineers and technicians 157 00:14:55,728 --> 00:14:58,250 stay at home, firmly supporting the strike. 158 00:15:00,065 --> 00:15:01,588 At present 159 00:15:02,033 --> 00:15:04,397 I am president 160 00:15:04,570 --> 00:15:07,263 of the Confederation of Chilean Professionals 161 00:15:07,573 --> 00:15:12,198 which has a membership of some 50,000 professionals 162 00:15:12,944 --> 00:15:15,467 workers with professional qualifications 163 00:15:15,714 --> 00:15:18,339 who work in various industries 164 00:15:18,550 --> 00:15:20,072 or other companies in the country. 165 00:15:21,453 --> 00:15:25,010 These kinds of associations, supposedly apolitical 166 00:15:25,190 --> 00:15:29,020 work in close collaboration with the opposition parties. 167 00:15:30,027 --> 00:15:33,187 We have great organization amongst our members. 168 00:15:33,332 --> 00:15:36,923 People who are disciplined, aware, responsible. 169 00:15:37,136 --> 00:15:38,931 The October strike showed that. 170 00:15:39,271 --> 00:15:42,897 Gradually, these organizations start to behave 171 00:15:43,108 --> 00:15:44,699 in an almost fascist way. 172 00:15:44,910 --> 00:15:47,740 I don't believe in the myth 173 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:50,936 that a worker, just by being a worker, can do everything. 174 00:15:53,318 --> 00:15:55,977 Well, the engineers left. 175 00:15:56,188 --> 00:15:58,677 They went with the company executives. 176 00:15:59,191 --> 00:16:01,054 They abandoned the company 177 00:16:01,293 --> 00:16:04,418 and it was left in the hands of our manager comrades. 178 00:16:06,565 --> 00:16:09,725 So we organized ourselves immediately 179 00:16:10,269 --> 00:16:12,861 and, along with them, we've taken on this responsibity. 180 00:16:13,072 --> 00:16:17,732 We're doing well now that our bosses have abandoned us 181 00:16:18,110 --> 00:16:19,838 and we're carrying on ourselves. 182 00:16:20,612 --> 00:16:22,441 They went off and left the factory to us 183 00:16:22,514 --> 00:16:25,708 so we just carried on working as normal. 184 00:16:25,884 --> 00:16:28,111 So far, we haven't had any problems. 185 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:29,911 We're getting on with things. 186 00:16:30,355 --> 00:16:32,980 I think what they did was wrong. 187 00:16:33,192 --> 00:16:34,987 They didn't even say anything to us. 188 00:16:35,494 --> 00:16:38,892 Despite everything, we're more satisfied now 189 00:16:39,064 --> 00:16:40,155 much better off 190 00:16:40,399 --> 00:16:43,024 and I wish I could shake comrade Allende's hand. 191 00:16:43,168 --> 00:16:47,533 We're doing perfectly well the way we're working now. 192 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:49,362 I think we're doing very well 193 00:16:49,675 --> 00:16:52,072 with the new industrial reforms. 194 00:16:52,244 --> 00:16:55,677 We're doing well, and working with more determination. 195 00:17:02,287 --> 00:17:04,913 In the factories, the more experienced workers 196 00:17:05,124 --> 00:17:07,454 take charge of the main operations. 197 00:17:07,926 --> 00:17:10,484 The few engineers who support the government 198 00:17:10,663 --> 00:17:12,992 Iook after various neighboring factories. 199 00:17:13,232 --> 00:17:15,993 Thus, just one engineer can attend to the problems 200 00:17:16,202 --> 00:17:18,134 of four or five companies. 201 00:17:18,471 --> 00:17:19,903 In these first moments 202 00:17:20,139 --> 00:17:22,503 industrial activity doesn't stop. 203 00:17:56,175 --> 00:17:58,107 Meanwhile, in the Upper Chamber 204 00:17:58,310 --> 00:18:00,674 ten senators issue a statement 205 00:18:00,846 --> 00:18:04,107 saying that the government is overstepping the law. 206 00:18:04,650 --> 00:18:06,775 This document, which has no legal force 207 00:18:06,951 --> 00:18:09,247 damages Allende's constitutional image 208 00:18:09,488 --> 00:18:11,078 in the eyes of the armed forces. 209 00:18:11,657 --> 00:18:13,054 The ten signatories 210 00:18:13,258 --> 00:18:15,816 include members of the Christian Democrat Party. 211 00:18:17,897 --> 00:18:20,658 I think that, in this case, the Christian Democrats 212 00:18:20,866 --> 00:18:25,696 are wrong in supporting the "mummies". 213 00:18:27,239 --> 00:18:29,569 I used to be a Christian Democrat myself 214 00:18:29,742 --> 00:18:31,708 and I think they're betraying our country 215 00:18:31,877 --> 00:18:33,001 by supporting those people. 216 00:18:33,278 --> 00:18:34,574 It was the bourgeoisie 217 00:18:34,647 --> 00:18:37,477 who kept all the workers in ignorance. 218 00:18:37,650 --> 00:18:42,241 Why do so many workers have no idea about politics? 219 00:18:42,421 --> 00:18:43,910 They say they're "apolitical" 220 00:18:44,123 --> 00:18:45,885 but they don't know that everything is political. 221 00:18:46,092 --> 00:18:50,548 In order to organize, the workers had to unite. 222 00:18:50,729 --> 00:18:52,092 But on what basis? 223 00:18:52,331 --> 00:18:54,854 The organizations have functioned 224 00:18:55,100 --> 00:18:57,191 on the basis of political parties. 225 00:18:57,603 --> 00:19:00,330 And the parties which are with Popular Unity now 226 00:19:00,506 --> 00:19:02,665 have always been with the workers. 227 00:19:02,908 --> 00:19:06,863 The opposition parties only exploited the workers 228 00:19:07,112 --> 00:19:09,578 and that's the case with the Christian Democracy. 229 00:19:09,882 --> 00:19:12,712 They created that paternalism to use the workers. 230 00:19:14,220 --> 00:19:16,243 Are there Christian Democrat workers? 231 00:19:16,822 --> 00:19:18,583 Yes, of course. 232 00:19:18,791 --> 00:19:20,552 - Any problems with them? - No. 233 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:22,817 - They work too? - We all work together. 234 00:19:22,994 --> 00:19:24,551 There's no problem. 235 00:19:24,796 --> 00:19:27,159 - Are there Christian Democrat workers? - Yes. 236 00:19:27,333 --> 00:19:29,026 - They work too? - Yes. 237 00:19:40,212 --> 00:19:41,939 Although the Christian Democracy 238 00:19:42,147 --> 00:19:43,773 is supporting the strike 239 00:19:43,948 --> 00:19:46,915 some of its militant workers carry on working. 240 00:19:47,553 --> 00:19:51,417 In fact, these workers are at variance with their leaders. 241 00:19:52,524 --> 00:19:55,285 They feel more identified with their fellow workers 242 00:19:55,494 --> 00:19:57,050 than with the bosses. 243 00:19:58,063 --> 00:20:00,757 You're not with Popular Unity. Who are you with? 244 00:20:01,032 --> 00:20:02,658 I'm with the workers. 245 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:04,899 Who are the workers with? 246 00:20:05,237 --> 00:20:06,464 With Popular Unity. 247 00:20:06,739 --> 00:20:08,364 Did you work during the strike? 248 00:20:08,573 --> 00:20:10,300 - Of course. - Why? 249 00:20:10,509 --> 00:20:12,668 Because we have workers' awareness. 250 00:20:12,944 --> 00:20:14,808 - Did you work too? - Yes. 251 00:20:15,013 --> 00:20:17,809 - So you're with Popular Unity? - With the workers. 252 00:20:36,268 --> 00:20:38,598 Because the "mummies" have never respected 253 00:20:38,838 --> 00:20:40,269 the present government. 254 00:20:40,506 --> 00:20:43,233 It's the people who respect the government. 255 00:20:43,542 --> 00:20:45,804 They follow the government's orders. 256 00:20:46,111 --> 00:20:48,236 But those rich guys 257 00:20:48,647 --> 00:20:50,135 What do you call them? 258 00:20:50,516 --> 00:20:51,914 The moneybag men 259 00:20:52,151 --> 00:20:55,174 the men who are losing their interests. 260 00:20:55,521 --> 00:20:57,919 They're the ones who are complaining. 261 00:20:58,090 --> 00:21:00,886 They know that the people have to buy, and have to eat 262 00:21:01,093 --> 00:21:04,025 and now they want to hide the things 263 00:21:04,296 --> 00:21:06,592 that the people have to buy. 264 00:21:07,165 --> 00:21:10,063 They're causing chaos so that the people 265 00:21:10,302 --> 00:21:11,632 will turn against the government. 266 00:21:16,141 --> 00:21:18,232 The opposition increases the hoarding 267 00:21:18,510 --> 00:21:20,271 of essential items. 268 00:21:20,712 --> 00:21:23,939 It's an attempt to create widespread shortages. 269 00:21:24,116 --> 00:21:27,344 In reply, the government and the popular organizations 270 00:21:27,553 --> 00:21:28,746 increase surveillance 271 00:21:29,020 --> 00:21:31,816 to find where the goods are being secretly stored. 272 00:21:41,767 --> 00:21:45,164 Despite everything, the population has problems 273 00:21:45,370 --> 00:21:47,359 in obtaining products which are available. 274 00:21:54,613 --> 00:21:57,408 Given the critical situation, the government declares 275 00:21:57,649 --> 00:22:00,410 the capital and several provinces as emergency areas 276 00:22:00,652 --> 00:22:02,379 This means that the armed forces 277 00:22:02,621 --> 00:22:05,348 have to undertake police duties. 278 00:22:05,891 --> 00:22:07,880 The opposition accuse Allende 279 00:22:08,127 --> 00:22:10,423 of making political use of the military. 280 00:22:10,596 --> 00:22:13,221 The opposition press start a campaign 281 00:22:13,466 --> 00:22:15,728 to encourage disobedience to the government 282 00:22:15,935 --> 00:22:17,423 among the military. 283 00:22:21,973 --> 00:22:25,701 This is a very critical time for our country. 284 00:22:25,977 --> 00:22:28,466 But I think that with unity among the workers 285 00:22:28,680 --> 00:22:30,543 we'll get through. 286 00:22:30,882 --> 00:22:33,245 What do you think of the present crisis? 287 00:22:33,719 --> 00:22:36,980 - I think it's pretty bad. - And what should be done? 288 00:22:37,189 --> 00:22:39,587 We have to stop what's happening 289 00:22:40,125 --> 00:22:41,523 and try to rebuild the country. 290 00:22:42,795 --> 00:22:44,317 Things are bad. 291 00:22:44,563 --> 00:22:47,654 - What should we do? - Work and produce more. 292 00:22:47,866 --> 00:22:49,990 - Say it louder. - Work and produce more. 293 00:22:51,937 --> 00:22:55,391 Really, the situation is getting very serious. 294 00:22:59,611 --> 00:23:02,475 The crisis? We have to tackle it 295 00:23:02,714 --> 00:23:04,407 and everyone has to lend a hand. 296 00:23:04,650 --> 00:23:06,912 - How? - By working more 297 00:23:07,285 --> 00:23:10,877 producing more, and helping the President. 298 00:23:11,523 --> 00:23:14,887 We mustn't pay any attention to the "mummies". 299 00:23:15,093 --> 00:23:19,685 Their one and only interest is in stifling us, smothering us. 300 00:23:19,931 --> 00:23:21,987 They're taking advantage of the fact 301 00:23:22,234 --> 00:23:23,393 that the North Americans 302 00:23:23,635 --> 00:23:25,964 want to trample on our dignity as Chileans. 303 00:23:26,205 --> 00:23:29,171 They're doing the same, and we can't agree 304 00:23:29,341 --> 00:23:30,966 as Chileans, as workers 305 00:23:31,143 --> 00:23:33,632 as men who have been in our jobs for years 306 00:23:33,845 --> 00:23:36,709 to act in accordance with their wishes. No! 307 00:23:36,947 --> 00:23:39,436 Not now, not ever. Just the opposite. 308 00:23:39,651 --> 00:23:42,946 Our intention will always be to fight for a new Chile 309 00:23:43,155 --> 00:23:45,621 economically and politically free. 310 00:23:47,526 --> 00:23:50,754 Some factories start selling their products 311 00:23:50,962 --> 00:23:52,451 directly to the people. 312 00:23:52,997 --> 00:23:55,725 The unions in the various industries join forces 313 00:23:55,966 --> 00:23:58,865 to take the products to the neighborhoods. 314 00:24:02,541 --> 00:24:05,939 Just now, we're working as inspectors, "ad honorem". 315 00:24:06,545 --> 00:24:10,705 We're not doing our old jobs but we still get our salary. 316 00:24:11,450 --> 00:24:15,212 The work that we're doing now involves coordinating 317 00:24:16,922 --> 00:24:19,183 the market areas, as it were 318 00:24:19,424 --> 00:24:21,356 that have to do with electrical gadgets. 319 00:24:22,594 --> 00:24:24,822 Other factories send workers' pickets 320 00:24:25,063 --> 00:24:26,825 to open shops that are closed. 321 00:24:27,232 --> 00:24:29,596 These workers act as inspectors 322 00:24:29,801 --> 00:24:31,266 on behalf of the government. 323 00:24:44,416 --> 00:24:45,814 All the directors 324 00:24:46,050 --> 00:24:48,744 of the various railway workers' associations 325 00:24:48,920 --> 00:24:50,442 issued a statement 326 00:24:50,689 --> 00:24:53,746 regarding yesterday's attack by fascist elements 327 00:24:53,926 --> 00:24:55,585 against a passenger train 328 00:24:55,794 --> 00:24:59,021 and said they will not tolerate further aggressions. 329 00:24:59,364 --> 00:25:02,797 They defined yesterday's attack on a passenger train 330 00:25:02,967 --> 00:25:05,695 as a criminal act against the rail workers 331 00:25:05,904 --> 00:25:07,369 and against passengers 332 00:25:07,606 --> 00:25:10,265 whose lives are in the hands of those workers. 333 00:25:10,575 --> 00:25:13,598 Yes, there were two committees to guard the factory 334 00:25:13,846 --> 00:25:15,072 day and night. 335 00:25:15,347 --> 00:25:16,779 Two committees. 336 00:25:17,047 --> 00:25:18,570 What did they do? 337 00:25:18,817 --> 00:25:22,442 They guarded the factory, so no one would try to seize it. 338 00:25:22,854 --> 00:25:26,752 We've got a vigilance committee here, comrade 339 00:25:26,825 --> 00:25:29,814 and it watches the factory on Saturdays, Sundays 340 00:25:29,994 --> 00:25:31,187 and public holidays. 341 00:25:31,429 --> 00:25:34,156 It's never left unguarded for a single moment. 342 00:25:34,432 --> 00:25:37,865 Yes, we thought of building four towers 343 00:25:38,103 --> 00:25:40,467 one on each of the four sides of the building 344 00:25:40,672 --> 00:25:45,604 and that way we'd have a much better view 345 00:25:46,178 --> 00:25:48,838 when we were keeping watch over the factory. 346 00:25:56,288 --> 00:25:58,345 Vigilance committees spring up daily 347 00:25:58,557 --> 00:26:01,387 in Santiago's main manufacturing areas. 348 00:26:02,160 --> 00:26:03,649 Tell the story of this truck. 349 00:26:03,829 --> 00:26:07,852 Well, the comrades met in a workers' assembly 350 00:26:08,133 --> 00:26:10,599 and agreed to cooperate with the government 351 00:26:10,703 --> 00:26:13,601 on the best way of tackling and defeating 352 00:26:13,805 --> 00:26:15,737 the transport strike. 353 00:26:16,006 --> 00:26:20,132 And that was by making tankers for the transport of fuel 354 00:26:20,712 --> 00:26:23,371 and making them as fast as we possibly could. 355 00:26:23,615 --> 00:26:27,638 All in all, it took us just one week to do the job 356 00:26:27,853 --> 00:26:30,444 and give the government ten tankers 357 00:26:30,656 --> 00:26:32,212 like the ones you see here. 358 00:26:35,959 --> 00:26:39,585 By mid-October, the workers' organizational capacity 359 00:26:39,798 --> 00:26:41,661 has surpassed all expectations. 360 00:26:49,207 --> 00:26:52,867 They manage to maintain relatively normal production 361 00:26:53,044 --> 00:26:55,408 by making maximum use of reserve stocks. 362 00:26:55,848 --> 00:26:58,211 The industries create a system among themselves 363 00:26:58,417 --> 00:27:00,815 for exchanging resources. 364 00:27:01,253 --> 00:27:03,549 In practice, we are seeing the start 365 00:27:03,755 --> 00:27:06,152 of the so-called "industrial belts". 366 00:27:08,593 --> 00:27:12,116 Each belt is an association of factories and companies 367 00:27:12,331 --> 00:27:15,297 which coordinates the jobs of workers in the same areas. 368 00:27:15,567 --> 00:27:18,624 They are the first seeds of popular power in Chile. 369 00:27:30,248 --> 00:27:33,476 While government supporters seem to be beating the crisis, 370 00:27:33,685 --> 00:27:36,412 the opposition's violent groups try to create 371 00:27:36,622 --> 00:27:39,213 an image of chaos and lack of authority. 372 00:28:03,915 --> 00:28:06,472 The efficient action by the police 373 00:28:06,651 --> 00:28:09,173 and the mass mobilization of workers 374 00:28:09,387 --> 00:28:11,353 who demonstrated their support 375 00:28:11,590 --> 00:28:13,180 for the constitutional government 376 00:28:13,392 --> 00:28:15,688 defeated the attempt today by fascist elements 377 00:28:15,894 --> 00:28:19,519 to spark off a bloody disturbance 378 00:28:19,731 --> 00:28:20,924 in the city of Santiago. 379 00:28:21,132 --> 00:28:25,326 The fascist groups attacked the students and workers 380 00:28:25,470 --> 00:28:28,163 who were showing their support for the government. 381 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:30,303 Stores were damaged 382 00:28:30,475 --> 00:28:33,100 the Corporation for Urban Improvement was attacked 383 00:28:33,278 --> 00:28:35,176 and looted by the mob 384 00:28:35,347 --> 00:28:37,870 and shots were fired by unseen gunmen. 385 00:28:38,083 --> 00:28:39,947 The presence of workers on the main streets 386 00:28:40,151 --> 00:28:43,117 caused the dispersal of the groups of provokers 387 00:28:43,322 --> 00:28:46,447 who were trying to create a climate of disorder. 388 00:28:46,658 --> 00:28:48,283 Workers from the building industry 389 00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:50,423 and the nationalized sectors 390 00:28:50,662 --> 00:28:52,150 marched through the center 391 00:28:52,364 --> 00:28:55,023 to prevent outrages by the fascist groups. 392 00:28:58,503 --> 00:29:01,435 On October 29, the employers' movement 393 00:29:01,606 --> 00:29:04,265 starts to show some signs of tiring. 394 00:29:04,743 --> 00:29:08,436 In the factories, the workers' situation is also difficult 395 00:29:08,646 --> 00:29:11,441 as reserve stocks are almost exhausted. 396 00:29:12,284 --> 00:29:13,682 Given the situation 397 00:29:13,952 --> 00:29:15,918 AIlende creates the political conditions 398 00:29:16,154 --> 00:29:18,518 for an understanding with the Christian Democracy. 399 00:29:18,924 --> 00:29:22,515 He brings the commanders-in- chief of the armed forces 400 00:29:22,727 --> 00:29:24,317 into the government. 401 00:29:30,702 --> 00:29:33,327 To create this civil-military cabinet 402 00:29:33,538 --> 00:29:35,969 the president relies on Gen. Carlos Prats 403 00:29:36,141 --> 00:29:37,607 natural leader of the officers 404 00:29:37,843 --> 00:29:39,570 who respect the democratic system. 405 00:29:40,378 --> 00:29:41,867 Backed by this sector 406 00:29:42,113 --> 00:29:44,602 Allende reaches an agreement with the Christian Democracy 407 00:29:44,816 --> 00:29:47,111 and negotiates a solution to the transport strike. 408 00:29:55,527 --> 00:29:57,686 A wide sector of left-wing workers 409 00:29:57,896 --> 00:29:59,919 interprets the presence of the military 410 00:30:00,132 --> 00:30:03,656 as a chance to use a heavy hand against the opposition. 411 00:30:05,437 --> 00:30:07,835 You like the idea of the military in the cabinet? 412 00:30:08,005 --> 00:30:11,438 I agree with having the military in the cabinet. 413 00:30:11,643 --> 00:30:13,506 It's the only way to control the "mummies". 414 00:30:13,712 --> 00:30:15,644 They need a heavy hand. 415 00:30:15,814 --> 00:30:17,507 What do you think of it? 416 00:30:17,782 --> 00:30:20,680 They should have been there from the start. 417 00:30:21,853 --> 00:30:23,045 Why? 418 00:30:23,288 --> 00:30:25,846 To solve all the problems we've got. 419 00:30:26,023 --> 00:30:27,683 What do you think of it? 420 00:30:27,926 --> 00:30:29,858 I agree entirely with including the military. 421 00:30:30,095 --> 00:30:33,789 They should have put more in the ministry. 422 00:30:34,031 --> 00:30:35,520 Do you think they're with the people? 423 00:30:35,767 --> 00:30:38,460 Yes, of course, they're all with the people now. 424 00:30:38,670 --> 00:30:40,363 How do you know that? 425 00:30:40,839 --> 00:30:43,304 We know because, in the first place 426 00:30:43,508 --> 00:30:47,565 the reactionary forces couldn't overturn 427 00:30:47,879 --> 00:30:50,674 all of the armed forces. 428 00:30:51,014 --> 00:30:55,640 So we know that they're with the government and the people 429 00:30:55,854 --> 00:30:59,513 After the statement that Gen. Prats made yesterday 430 00:30:59,691 --> 00:31:02,213 we know perfectly well that it's a guarantee for us. 431 00:31:03,462 --> 00:31:05,621 I don't like them in the government 432 00:31:06,398 --> 00:31:09,296 simply because democratic systems 433 00:31:09,467 --> 00:31:11,330 are inconsistent with the military. 434 00:31:11,670 --> 00:31:14,033 So why has comrade Allende fallen back on them? 435 00:31:14,205 --> 00:31:17,103 I guess because things are so serious at the moment 436 00:31:17,342 --> 00:31:22,036 circumstances made it necessary to take that step 437 00:31:22,247 --> 00:31:23,838 so as to impose order. 438 00:31:24,149 --> 00:31:26,707 But I hope it isn't permanent, that it's for a short time. 439 00:31:29,320 --> 00:31:31,616 I think that, at this moment 440 00:31:31,856 --> 00:31:34,481 neither I nor anybody can say clearly 441 00:31:34,726 --> 00:31:36,157 if there'll be a civil war. 442 00:31:36,394 --> 00:31:38,860 It all depends on the armed forces. 443 00:31:39,063 --> 00:31:41,359 If they continue to act as they've done so far 444 00:31:41,600 --> 00:31:44,794 being loyal to the people and to order 445 00:31:45,002 --> 00:31:46,195 and respecting the law 446 00:31:46,771 --> 00:31:49,134 I don't think there'll be a confrontation. 447 00:31:49,374 --> 00:31:52,067 The government will continue, with difficulty 448 00:31:52,310 --> 00:31:53,401 but it'll continue. 449 00:31:53,478 --> 00:31:56,501 What will have to be done if the strike is repeated? 450 00:31:56,715 --> 00:31:58,681 The State should take over the trucks. 451 00:31:59,217 --> 00:32:02,308 All the trucking should be taken over by the State 452 00:32:02,521 --> 00:32:04,817 and then managed by the workers. 453 00:32:05,090 --> 00:32:08,386 The trucks can't do anything without the workers. 454 00:32:08,626 --> 00:32:10,956 And the workers are building the country. 455 00:32:11,496 --> 00:32:14,826 We, the people, opened our eyes and realized. 456 00:32:15,032 --> 00:32:17,191 We aren't like we used to be. 457 00:32:17,402 --> 00:32:19,095 Before they tricked us all the time. 458 00:32:19,404 --> 00:32:22,268 Because I think that throughout the world 459 00:32:22,474 --> 00:32:24,940 they have to understand the worker. 460 00:32:25,444 --> 00:32:27,808 Not just here in Chile, but everywhere. 461 00:32:34,953 --> 00:32:39,146 On November 10, 1972, the civil-military cabinet 462 00:32:39,391 --> 00:32:41,323 manages to put an end to the strike. 463 00:32:42,059 --> 00:32:44,685 For the U.S. Government and the internal opposition 464 00:32:44,929 --> 00:32:46,519 this means failure. 465 00:32:48,533 --> 00:32:51,590 They've done great economic damage to the country 466 00:32:51,803 --> 00:32:55,200 but haven't toppled the government, as they'd hoped. 467 00:32:55,674 --> 00:32:57,469 For a wide sector of workers 468 00:32:57,709 --> 00:32:59,572 this October experience will be a basis 469 00:32:59,778 --> 00:33:01,801 for the growth of popular power. 470 00:33:03,348 --> 00:33:05,746 A few days later, at a demonstration 471 00:33:05,983 --> 00:33:07,643 to celebrate the end of the strike 472 00:33:07,886 --> 00:33:10,613 the "Cerrillos Belt" makes its first appearance. 473 00:33:10,822 --> 00:33:13,583 The organization, which didn't exist before the strike 474 00:33:13,792 --> 00:33:16,883 takes in 250 companies from the south of Santiago. 475 00:33:18,696 --> 00:33:21,389 Workers from the "Cerrillos Belt" 476 00:33:21,599 --> 00:33:23,064 Present! 477 00:33:32,110 --> 00:33:35,440 - Workers from "Fensa" - Present! 478 00:33:36,079 --> 00:33:38,875 - "Sindelén" - Present! 479 00:33:42,420 --> 00:33:44,852 - "Maestranza Cerrillos" - Present! 480 00:33:49,661 --> 00:33:53,184 - Workers from "Ralco" - Present! 481 00:36:57,181 --> 00:37:00,306 After the strike, almost all the base movements 482 00:37:00,517 --> 00:37:02,540 are linked to popular power. 483 00:37:02,920 --> 00:37:05,613 It is an initiative channeled by the government 484 00:37:05,889 --> 00:37:08,218 but its origins don't lie there. 485 00:37:08,525 --> 00:37:11,252 This power often causes consternation 486 00:37:11,429 --> 00:37:13,054 in some left-wing parties 487 00:37:13,164 --> 00:37:16,722 alarmed by certain spontaneous attitudes among the people 488 00:37:18,936 --> 00:37:25,858 Let's create popular power! 489 00:37:26,042 --> 00:37:29,008 After October, the slogan "Let's create popular power" 490 00:37:29,180 --> 00:37:31,442 continues to be heard all over the country. 491 00:37:31,715 --> 00:37:38,876 Let's create popular power! 492 00:37:40,958 --> 00:37:46,584 Power to the workers! 493 00:37:47,931 --> 00:37:55,295 Let's create popular power! 494 00:37:57,908 --> 00:38:01,305 By the middle of 1973, 31 industrial belts 495 00:38:01,545 --> 00:38:04,010 have been created in all of the country's main cities. 496 00:38:04,247 --> 00:38:06,736 8 of these belong to Santiago. 497 00:38:09,219 --> 00:38:11,412 When conflicts arise with the bosses 498 00:38:11,622 --> 00:38:13,884 especially in small companies 499 00:38:14,124 --> 00:38:17,249 the workers concerned receive immediate support 500 00:38:17,494 --> 00:38:19,289 from the belt to which they belong. 501 00:38:21,265 --> 00:38:24,060 This solidarity gives the small unions 502 00:38:24,134 --> 00:38:27,191 greater backing in order to confront the bosses. 503 00:38:29,806 --> 00:38:34,500 We've earned huge fortunes for those guys, the bosses. 504 00:38:34,679 --> 00:38:37,372 But they won't do anything for the welfare of the workers. 505 00:38:37,581 --> 00:38:40,103 And now they want to destroy us. 506 00:38:40,283 --> 00:38:43,147 There's a great persecution of union leaders 507 00:38:43,354 --> 00:38:45,718 but we union leaders are not alone. 508 00:38:45,922 --> 00:38:47,945 We're supported by all our workers 509 00:38:48,159 --> 00:38:49,887 and by the industrial belts. 510 00:38:50,092 --> 00:38:51,422 And the industrial belts 511 00:38:51,762 --> 00:38:55,524 cover the entire length of Chile, so we're powerful. 512 00:38:55,732 --> 00:38:58,197 And they've failed once again. 513 00:38:58,368 --> 00:39:01,163 Now we're all organized and we're all aware 514 00:39:01,371 --> 00:39:03,530 and the workers have opened their eyes. 515 00:39:03,741 --> 00:39:06,400 We're aware of a lot more things. 516 00:39:06,610 --> 00:39:07,837 And we've got support. 517 00:39:08,078 --> 00:39:11,101 The more united we are, the more powerful we'll be. 518 00:39:11,215 --> 00:39:14,238 The enemy that we're facing, the right 519 00:39:14,418 --> 00:39:16,350 is very powerful and well organized. 520 00:39:16,520 --> 00:39:18,110 Why shouldn't we be organized? 521 00:39:18,355 --> 00:39:21,913 Why shouldn't we take advantage of our numbers? 522 00:39:22,126 --> 00:39:24,183 There are more workers than bosses. 523 00:39:24,427 --> 00:39:27,291 It's easy to beat them, but we must be organized and united 524 00:39:27,998 --> 00:39:29,520 What do you think of the industrial belts? 525 00:39:29,733 --> 00:39:31,858 - They're very important. - Why? 526 00:39:32,503 --> 00:39:37,128 Because I think that they're the real power 527 00:39:37,307 --> 00:39:39,205 of the organized communes. 528 00:39:39,509 --> 00:39:42,703 And I think that we should all be very clear 529 00:39:42,946 --> 00:39:45,434 about the importance of the industrial belts 530 00:39:45,649 --> 00:39:48,911 and how we should work to support and organize them. 531 00:39:49,085 --> 00:39:51,142 Do you think they work in parallel to the government 532 00:39:51,354 --> 00:39:53,252 or with the government? 533 00:39:53,490 --> 00:39:56,923 A lot of people are scared of the industrial belts. 534 00:39:57,427 --> 00:40:01,291 Yes, we've actually been able to feel that fear 535 00:40:01,532 --> 00:40:05,123 because we've seen how, in the public services 536 00:40:05,336 --> 00:40:09,166 they are really terrified about community participation 537 00:40:09,406 --> 00:40:11,031 You see no danger in industrial belts? 538 00:40:11,274 --> 00:40:12,535 Of course not. 539 00:40:13,277 --> 00:40:17,903 I've got every confidence in the people's intelligence. 540 00:40:18,215 --> 00:40:20,909 People who are organized are intelligent. 541 00:40:21,184 --> 00:40:24,912 So how can you be afraid of a people's organization? 542 00:40:25,756 --> 00:40:29,244 The workers occupy hundreds of factories all over the country 543 00:40:31,060 --> 00:40:34,390 Some of these industries can be expropriated legally. 544 00:40:34,598 --> 00:40:37,928 However, a great many of ther are in workers' hands 545 00:40:38,101 --> 00:40:40,294 without any possibility of legal support. 546 00:40:41,438 --> 00:40:43,870 They are the first symptoms that the State apparatus 547 00:40:44,073 --> 00:40:46,301 is starting to be overwhelmed by reality. 548 00:40:57,120 --> 00:41:00,416 Later, they start to organize "community commandos" 549 00:41:00,624 --> 00:41:02,522 as another kind of popular power. 550 00:41:03,426 --> 00:41:06,950 These commandos unite all the components of a commune 551 00:41:07,130 --> 00:41:09,688 that is, students, housewives, workers 552 00:41:09,866 --> 00:41:11,764 neighbors and peasants. 553 00:41:14,604 --> 00:41:16,502 Have you heard of the community commandos? 554 00:41:16,706 --> 00:41:19,228 Yes, I've heard a lot about them. 555 00:41:19,309 --> 00:41:22,537 They're very well organized. We've got them here too. 556 00:41:22,746 --> 00:41:25,439 They care a lot about the workers 557 00:41:25,649 --> 00:41:28,137 especially now, when we're going through 558 00:41:28,285 --> 00:41:29,808 this revolutionary period. 559 00:41:30,754 --> 00:41:33,276 What do you think of the community commandos? 560 00:41:33,490 --> 00:41:36,547 They are organizations of ordinary people 561 00:41:36,760 --> 00:41:38,316 which are fighting. 562 00:41:38,395 --> 00:41:41,156 It's something in which all the proletarian class 563 00:41:41,398 --> 00:41:42,728 should be participating 564 00:41:42,966 --> 00:41:45,693 because many proletarians are mistaken 565 00:41:45,935 --> 00:41:49,731 and being fooled by people who say there are shortages. 566 00:41:50,007 --> 00:41:52,700 That's being done by the right, by the bourgeoisie 567 00:41:52,943 --> 00:41:55,170 by U.S. Imperialism and the Chilean bourgeoisie. 568 00:41:55,412 --> 00:41:57,776 None of them are fighting for Chile. 569 00:41:58,014 --> 00:42:01,104 We're fighting for Chile and for equality for all 570 00:42:01,418 --> 00:42:03,350 so we can build a socialism 571 00:42:03,586 --> 00:42:05,484 which belongs to the proletarian class. 572 00:42:05,689 --> 00:42:07,621 What about the community commandos? 573 00:42:07,824 --> 00:42:10,085 I think that at this particular moment 574 00:42:10,327 --> 00:42:13,350 they are the organic solution 575 00:42:13,596 --> 00:42:15,152 to the problem of provisioning 576 00:42:15,365 --> 00:42:18,490 and also to that of uniting the proletarian class 577 00:42:18,735 --> 00:42:21,326 in the communes and the provinces 578 00:42:21,705 --> 00:42:24,262 both for a possible civil war 579 00:42:24,507 --> 00:42:26,700 and the daily confrontation which we must face 580 00:42:26,910 --> 00:42:29,705 and also for specific solutions to things such as 581 00:42:29,946 --> 00:42:33,275 hygiene, health, vigilance against the bourgeoisie. 582 00:42:33,516 --> 00:42:35,038 So what's needed there? 583 00:42:35,119 --> 00:42:38,108 What's needed is an organization 584 00:42:38,722 --> 00:42:40,119 which can provide guidance 585 00:42:40,423 --> 00:42:42,753 for those sectors of the class which are marginalized. 586 00:42:43,025 --> 00:42:45,514 Today they are the most explosive sectors 587 00:42:45,729 --> 00:42:47,558 the ones who are really mobilizing 588 00:42:47,864 --> 00:42:50,056 right across the country. 589 00:42:50,834 --> 00:42:54,129 We are sending out a call to all neighbors 590 00:42:54,337 --> 00:42:57,303 to organize however may be necessary 591 00:42:57,541 --> 00:42:59,473 so that within a short time 592 00:42:59,609 --> 00:43:02,040 with the leadership of the working class 593 00:43:02,145 --> 00:43:04,976 with the leadership of the Cerrillos industrial belt 594 00:43:05,081 --> 00:43:07,843 we may set up the community commando 595 00:43:08,050 --> 00:43:11,813 which, tomorrow, will be power for the proletarian class 596 00:43:11,989 --> 00:43:15,443 and won't be halted by bourgeois institutionalism 597 00:43:15,658 --> 00:43:17,681 or reactionary elements. 598 00:43:19,061 --> 00:43:23,153 Power to the workers! 599 00:43:23,333 --> 00:43:25,231 Comrades 600 00:43:25,969 --> 00:43:28,457 We have come to the center of Maipú 601 00:43:28,605 --> 00:43:30,195 because we understand 602 00:43:30,473 --> 00:43:34,872 that a basic tool for the task we have undertaken 603 00:43:35,077 --> 00:43:36,873 is class alliance 604 00:43:37,079 --> 00:43:40,477 The alliance that will allow us to overthrow the enemy 605 00:43:40,584 --> 00:43:42,243 however powerful he is. 606 00:43:42,419 --> 00:43:46,044 The alliance that will allow us to halt imperialist action. 607 00:43:46,190 --> 00:43:48,918 carried out by its puppets in Chile. 608 00:43:49,326 --> 00:43:51,417 The alliance that will allow us 609 00:43:51,561 --> 00:43:54,186 to build and develop popular power. 610 00:43:54,365 --> 00:43:55,956 The alliance that will allow us 611 00:43:56,233 --> 00:43:59,688 to have the necessary strength to take power. 612 00:44:05,742 --> 00:44:07,867 In practice, the community commandos 613 00:44:08,077 --> 00:44:11,237 acquire real form from specific actions. 614 00:44:11,481 --> 00:44:13,879 In this case, workers from the Cerrillos belt 615 00:44:14,083 --> 00:44:16,016 and peasants from the town of Maipú 616 00:44:16,219 --> 00:44:17,810 decide to occupy by force 617 00:44:18,021 --> 00:44:20,282 39 badly exploited agricultural estates. 618 00:44:20,524 --> 00:44:24,013 These lands could be one of the main sources of provisions 619 00:44:24,227 --> 00:44:25,784 for the capital. 620 00:44:34,103 --> 00:44:36,865 Each neighboring factory sends pickets 621 00:44:37,072 --> 00:44:38,971 to support the action. 622 00:44:39,275 --> 00:44:41,901 It's the first time that urban workers 623 00:44:42,078 --> 00:44:44,909 will take part in a peasant mobilization. 624 00:44:45,148 --> 00:44:47,944 This unitary action sets out the true basis 625 00:44:48,117 --> 00:44:50,049 of a communal commando. 626 00:45:04,768 --> 00:45:06,791 In the early hours of the morning 627 00:45:07,003 --> 00:45:10,799 brigades of peasants and workers occupy the lands. 628 00:45:13,042 --> 00:45:16,566 They set up permanent guard at these key positions. 629 00:45:27,824 --> 00:45:30,585 - May I ask you a question? - All you want. 630 00:45:30,794 --> 00:45:33,055 - What's your name? - Luis Gilberto Jerez. 631 00:45:33,196 --> 00:45:36,629 - And the estate's name? - The "Santa Carolina" estate. 632 00:45:36,767 --> 00:45:38,426 Why is it being occupied? 633 00:45:38,635 --> 00:45:42,033 Because the owner didn't keep his word to his workers 634 00:45:42,238 --> 00:45:43,898 to his employees. 635 00:45:44,039 --> 00:45:47,164 The call went out and so we decided to occupy it. 636 00:45:47,377 --> 00:45:50,741 We're united because we've come to help 637 00:45:50,947 --> 00:45:52,708 our comrades here. 638 00:45:52,883 --> 00:45:55,405 I'm on a committee which is in charge of the estate. 639 00:45:55,618 --> 00:45:58,311 I'm one of the founders of that committee. 640 00:45:58,555 --> 00:46:00,384 I strove for this. 641 00:46:01,959 --> 00:46:04,550 I want our comrades to strive as well 642 00:46:04,761 --> 00:46:07,386 for if we're united we can throw out the bosses. 643 00:46:07,463 --> 00:46:10,021 - Where do you work? - In "Siam Di Tella". 644 00:46:10,200 --> 00:46:11,632 - Where? - "Siam Di Tella". 645 00:46:11,834 --> 00:46:14,766 - So you work in industry. - Yes, I run the Mackenna belt. 646 00:46:14,972 --> 00:46:16,562 Why are you occupying this estate? 647 00:46:16,940 --> 00:46:18,872 It's necessary to unite 648 00:46:19,074 --> 00:46:20,836 the working class and the peasants 649 00:46:21,110 --> 00:46:22,542 in order to fight the bosses together 650 00:46:22,746 --> 00:46:26,041 because we've got common problems 651 00:46:26,183 --> 00:46:28,809 and we have to look for a solution as a class. 652 00:46:29,118 --> 00:46:32,448 How is the worker-peasant union working here in Maipú? 653 00:46:32,655 --> 00:46:35,416 I think it's the first clear example 654 00:46:35,625 --> 00:46:38,716 of how strong and effective the worker-peasant union is. 655 00:46:38,962 --> 00:46:42,291 We've taken 39 estates, with the support of workers 656 00:46:42,465 --> 00:46:44,829 from the Cerrillos sector and from Vicuña Mackenna. 657 00:46:49,739 --> 00:46:53,262 The second step is to start exploiting the lands. 658 00:46:54,210 --> 00:46:56,335 They also set up vigilance committees 659 00:46:56,446 --> 00:46:58,309 to patrol the lands day and night to prevent 660 00:46:58,448 --> 00:47:00,971 reprisals by the owners. 661 00:47:05,822 --> 00:47:07,720 The occupiers demand 662 00:47:07,924 --> 00:47:10,253 that the law on agrarian reform be applied 663 00:47:10,460 --> 00:47:12,449 and call on government bureaucrats 664 00:47:12,729 --> 00:47:14,388 to study the situation. 665 00:47:17,700 --> 00:47:22,132 In short, our comrades are still at the mercy 666 00:47:22,305 --> 00:47:23,737 of the judicial powers 667 00:47:23,974 --> 00:47:26,337 with all these eviction orders 668 00:47:26,576 --> 00:47:28,371 arrest warrants 669 00:47:28,578 --> 00:47:31,669 and trials for crimes they've never committed 670 00:47:31,881 --> 00:47:34,369 but these can be avoided with state intervention 671 00:47:34,650 --> 00:47:38,207 and the assigning of credits to the supervisor 672 00:47:38,388 --> 00:47:40,377 In general, the agrarian reform law 673 00:47:40,590 --> 00:47:42,852 allows the expropriation of badly exploited lands. 674 00:47:43,326 --> 00:47:44,656 But in this case 675 00:47:44,894 --> 00:47:47,724 the estate doesn't meet the law's requirements. 676 00:47:48,398 --> 00:47:51,193 This forces the peasants to defend firmly 677 00:47:51,467 --> 00:47:53,365 the validity of their initiative. 678 00:47:56,573 --> 00:47:58,436 We don't lie 679 00:47:58,775 --> 00:48:00,764 and any comrade here who is lying 680 00:48:00,944 --> 00:48:03,967 is immediately rejected by us. Why is that? 681 00:48:04,214 --> 00:48:08,044 If we are asking for those 26 estates, it's for a reason. 682 00:48:08,285 --> 00:48:10,649 If we were asking for 28, there'd be a reason. 683 00:48:10,821 --> 00:48:13,616 Then there'll be some bit of bureaucratic trickery 684 00:48:13,857 --> 00:48:17,050 to try to delay things and undermine us. 685 00:48:17,294 --> 00:48:20,192 We're not going to accept any of that. 686 00:48:20,397 --> 00:48:22,192 Why not? Because we don't lie. 687 00:48:22,466 --> 00:48:24,056 They have to believe us. 688 00:48:24,334 --> 00:48:26,266 If we're asking for those 26 estates 689 00:48:26,503 --> 00:48:28,401 we're asking because our comrades 690 00:48:28,605 --> 00:48:31,366 need to work those 26 estates. 691 00:48:31,542 --> 00:48:35,804 We don't want someone from the Agrarian Reform Office 692 00:48:36,012 --> 00:48:37,807 turning up here and trying to trick us. 693 00:48:38,047 --> 00:48:39,980 We're not going to accept that! 694 00:48:40,250 --> 00:48:41,910 So it's clear, if we're asking for 26 estates 695 00:48:42,251 --> 00:48:44,013 there's a reason. 696 00:48:44,221 --> 00:48:47,483 We're not lying or cheating to be able to expropriate them. 697 00:48:47,791 --> 00:48:50,019 We've got a reason for asking 698 00:48:50,227 --> 00:48:51,693 If we're saying they're badly exploited, they are. 699 00:48:51,894 --> 00:48:54,758 The owners, in turn, have discovered a legal recourse 700 00:48:54,931 --> 00:48:56,692 against the expropriations. 701 00:48:56,933 --> 00:49:00,228 This resource is known as "precautionary measures" 702 00:49:00,403 --> 00:49:02,562 and entails protecting the private property 703 00:49:02,773 --> 00:49:05,068 for a period set by the Courts. 704 00:49:06,009 --> 00:49:08,497 As the Courts are controlled by the right 705 00:49:08,711 --> 00:49:12,165 there are lands which could take years to expropriate. 706 00:49:12,682 --> 00:49:16,546 This recourse wrecks the peasants' initiative. 707 00:49:21,324 --> 00:49:26,313 Comrade, I ask you, what possibilities would we have 708 00:49:26,396 --> 00:49:27,919 if all the estates to be appropriated 709 00:49:28,131 --> 00:49:30,393 had these "precautionary measures"? 710 00:49:30,633 --> 00:49:32,758 How could we take possession of them? 711 00:49:36,839 --> 00:49:39,634 This isn't a secret or anything. 712 00:49:39,876 --> 00:49:41,273 The problem is 713 00:49:41,511 --> 00:49:43,000 the Corporation for Agrarian Reform 714 00:49:43,213 --> 00:49:45,975 has got lawyers to defend it in court. 715 00:49:46,183 --> 00:49:47,513 The problem now 716 00:49:47,783 --> 00:49:50,180 is the struggle going on in this country. 717 00:49:50,353 --> 00:49:54,308 The Corporation is tied to a law in order to expropriate. 718 00:49:54,690 --> 00:49:58,713 The bosses have their lawyers and they invent defenses. 719 00:49:58,895 --> 00:50:00,451 And you all know the problem with the Courts. 720 00:50:01,164 --> 00:50:03,494 CAR has got nothing to do with the "precautionary measures" 721 00:50:03,900 --> 00:50:06,388 It's out of all our hands. 722 00:50:06,936 --> 00:50:11,425 So your question is important, because some estates 723 00:50:11,641 --> 00:50:13,129 may use those "precautionary measures". 724 00:50:13,442 --> 00:50:16,966 In that case, you'll have to fight it in the Courts. 725 00:50:18,514 --> 00:50:21,605 We have to occupy all the estates 726 00:50:21,785 --> 00:50:25,717 But the peasants dare to confront state bureaucracy 727 00:50:25,922 --> 00:50:27,251 with all their energy. 728 00:50:27,524 --> 00:50:29,217 Backed up by the community commando 729 00:50:29,458 --> 00:50:32,424 the peasants submit a government bureaucrat 730 00:50:32,629 --> 00:50:34,652 to an authentic people's court. 731 00:50:37,534 --> 00:50:39,466 I don't want to waste time. 732 00:50:39,636 --> 00:50:41,829 I want to work and produce more. 733 00:50:42,038 --> 00:50:43,469 That's our slogan. 734 00:50:43,706 --> 00:50:46,467 I don't want to sit in an office somewhere, smoking 735 00:50:47,109 --> 00:50:48,473 and doing paperwork. 736 00:50:48,711 --> 00:50:51,041 I believe that if a person isn't capable 737 00:50:51,281 --> 00:50:54,509 he should give up his position. 738 00:50:55,083 --> 00:50:59,482 If, for example, some comrade tells me 739 00:50:59,689 --> 00:51:01,848 that I'm no good at my job as a leader 740 00:51:02,024 --> 00:51:03,819 then I would submit my resignation 741 00:51:03,893 --> 00:51:07,586 and give my post to someone who was more capable than I. 742 00:51:07,764 --> 00:51:11,355 I think that if we say it straight out to someone 743 00:51:11,668 --> 00:51:14,759 that person will know how to defend himself. 744 00:51:14,937 --> 00:51:16,493 But we're going to apply pressure. 745 00:51:16,706 --> 00:51:18,672 If someone is manipulating things so he stays on 746 00:51:18,841 --> 00:51:23,330 we'll find a way to get him out of there. 747 00:51:24,146 --> 00:51:27,476 No one in the Maipú commune calls him comrade anymore 748 00:51:27,750 --> 00:51:29,875 because he hasn't resolved a single problem 749 00:51:30,085 --> 00:51:32,244 inside the Maipú estates. 750 00:51:32,456 --> 00:51:36,354 And as the note says, we know we're short of potatoes 751 00:51:36,526 --> 00:51:37,651 we're short of sugar 752 00:51:37,827 --> 00:51:39,918 short of all those things the earth produces! 753 00:51:40,330 --> 00:51:42,922 We know that we're short of foodstuffs 754 00:51:43,064 --> 00:51:44,394 and the earth produces all that. 755 00:51:44,601 --> 00:51:48,089 We also know that we're partly to blame 756 00:51:48,171 --> 00:51:50,228 for the fact that there's a food shortage. 757 00:51:50,373 --> 00:51:53,100 That's why we want to expropriate more land! 758 00:51:53,609 --> 00:51:57,166 The reactionaries have often said 759 00:51:57,346 --> 00:51:58,573 that we're "the weak ones". 760 00:51:58,814 --> 00:52:00,439 But we're showing them that we're not weak at all. 761 00:52:00,684 --> 00:52:03,081 We're producing food 762 00:52:03,320 --> 00:52:07,082 because we know we have to defend this cause of ours. 763 00:52:07,591 --> 00:52:09,682 That's all I have to say. 764 00:52:10,293 --> 00:52:13,282 Our comrade may have something to say. 765 00:52:13,730 --> 00:52:17,492 Yes, comrade. Firstly, I'd like to say the following. 766 00:52:21,872 --> 00:52:25,804 I'm in a post which, as regards remuneration 767 00:52:26,008 --> 00:52:28,337 doesn't bring me anything. 768 00:52:28,644 --> 00:52:31,042 I wanted to say that. It's no cushy job. 769 00:52:31,314 --> 00:52:34,508 But the main thing, comrades, is that I believe 770 00:52:34,717 --> 00:52:36,979 and I'm being self-critical here 771 00:52:37,720 --> 00:52:42,914 that I made the mistake of trusting too much 772 00:52:43,091 --> 00:52:44,955 in the Council's work. 773 00:52:45,161 --> 00:52:48,150 That's a responsibility which I have to accept. 774 00:52:48,297 --> 00:52:52,195 I have to accept it, and I should learn from it as well. 775 00:52:52,368 --> 00:52:54,266 I admit that to you all. 776 00:52:54,938 --> 00:52:57,130 Now, apart from that 777 00:53:01,109 --> 00:53:03,974 I think what you've said today is very important 778 00:53:04,180 --> 00:53:07,442 because I believe that I'm a revolutionary. 779 00:53:07,951 --> 00:53:11,348 And when a revolutionary thinks he's being 780 00:53:12,722 --> 00:53:14,244 criticized 781 00:53:14,424 --> 00:53:17,686 for a job which he thinks he's doing well, but isn't 782 00:53:18,061 --> 00:53:20,117 that will undoubtedly be a lesson to him 783 00:53:20,329 --> 00:53:22,023 and help improve his work. 784 00:53:23,567 --> 00:53:26,260 If you want, we can talk about all this at another time 785 00:53:26,402 --> 00:53:29,368 but I think you deserved an explanation. 786 00:53:29,939 --> 00:53:32,268 - I think - Comrade, may I speak? 787 00:53:34,577 --> 00:53:38,407 As a committed revolutionary and official 788 00:53:38,581 --> 00:53:41,741 you shouldn't be clock watching on the job. 789 00:53:41,951 --> 00:53:44,473 You should be committed to the peasant masses and work more. 790 00:53:44,921 --> 00:53:52,911 Let's create popular power! 791 00:53:55,497 --> 00:54:03,089 Fighting and creating popular power! 792 00:54:03,772 --> 00:54:07,636 Let's create popular power! 793 00:54:09,278 --> 00:54:11,744 Popular power also tackles the problem 794 00:54:11,981 --> 00:54:13,708 of the supply of food. 795 00:54:14,317 --> 00:54:17,613 During 1973, the U.S. Boycott 796 00:54:17,820 --> 00:54:20,479 and the strong internal opposition have created the ideal climate 797 00:54:20,724 --> 00:54:24,121 for the majority of storekeepers to be against the government. 798 00:54:25,027 --> 00:54:28,925 They make larger profits by selling their goods illegally. 799 00:54:29,097 --> 00:54:30,757 Even the small storekeeper 800 00:54:30,967 --> 00:54:33,489 prefers to steer his produce to the black market. 801 00:54:34,271 --> 00:54:36,863 To combat this, a "direct supply" system 802 00:54:37,072 --> 00:54:39,698 is set up in the working class areas. 803 00:54:44,380 --> 00:54:47,107 We'll have our delegate at the head 804 00:54:47,317 --> 00:54:49,875 and we'll set up our distribution cooperative 805 00:54:50,118 --> 00:54:51,744 for all the residents here. 806 00:54:51,988 --> 00:54:54,453 We'll leave the storekeeper isolated 807 00:54:54,757 --> 00:54:57,382 because, as our comrade has said 808 00:54:57,594 --> 00:54:59,753 he's the origin of the merchandise 809 00:54:59,995 --> 00:55:01,927 that gets sent to the black market. 810 00:55:02,130 --> 00:55:05,392 So, we take responsibility for ourselves. 811 00:55:05,801 --> 00:55:08,926 We have to join up with a delegate 812 00:55:09,138 --> 00:55:11,195 and form a cooperative distribution center 813 00:55:11,440 --> 00:55:13,838 for the people who live here. 814 00:55:14,009 --> 00:55:18,100 And the idea is to supply all the necessities for a home. 815 00:55:18,448 --> 00:55:20,380 To do that, we must struggle 816 00:55:20,549 --> 00:55:22,947 and not give any more money to the storekeeper 817 00:55:23,186 --> 00:55:26,448 for he got rich enough at our cost. 818 00:55:26,656 --> 00:55:28,849 So therefore, join together! 819 00:55:29,058 --> 00:55:31,853 Let's all join together, street by street. 820 00:55:32,061 --> 00:55:35,584 We'll form a cooperative, and do without the storekeeper! 821 00:55:38,167 --> 00:55:41,998 Power to the workers! 822 00:55:42,905 --> 00:55:46,393 So then, when the people saw 823 00:55:46,610 --> 00:55:50,440 that the supplies came directly from the state distributor 824 00:55:50,547 --> 00:55:53,274 and then directly to them 825 00:55:53,482 --> 00:55:57,346 they realized that many problems were over for them. 826 00:55:58,254 --> 00:56:02,380 So we call on all the neighborhoods 827 00:56:02,558 --> 00:56:05,718 and we call on every street to join up 828 00:56:05,928 --> 00:56:07,757 and discuss the problems with its neighbors. 829 00:56:07,864 --> 00:56:09,727 We want a "people's store" 830 00:56:09,932 --> 00:56:13,091 where all the merchandise will arrive 831 00:56:13,302 --> 00:56:14,700 and people will be served. 832 00:56:14,904 --> 00:56:18,064 We want to set up a kind of supermarket. 833 00:56:18,908 --> 00:56:22,340 That's what we want to suggest 834 00:56:22,745 --> 00:56:26,643 and we want an answer from them so that we can do it. 835 00:56:27,550 --> 00:56:29,607 The most important thing 836 00:56:29,852 --> 00:56:31,647 is the residents' organization. 837 00:56:31,854 --> 00:56:33,683 At present, lots of places 838 00:56:33,957 --> 00:56:36,184 have got a people's store 839 00:56:36,725 --> 00:56:38,953 and it's supplied by different companies 840 00:56:39,295 --> 00:56:40,852 mainly by ones that are state-run. 841 00:56:41,129 --> 00:56:43,925 I'd even say, exclusively by state-run companies. 842 00:56:44,768 --> 00:56:47,495 So you have to ask for an effort 843 00:56:47,736 --> 00:56:48,963 from the residents themselves. 844 00:56:49,305 --> 00:56:51,067 The residents have to feel 845 00:56:51,274 --> 00:56:53,365 that they've put something into it themselves. 846 00:56:53,743 --> 00:56:56,073 They have to feel that they're responsible. 847 00:56:56,245 --> 00:56:59,177 It hasn't been given to them, they did it themselves. 848 00:57:00,049 --> 00:57:03,606 The people's store eliminates the commercial store. 849 00:57:04,487 --> 00:57:06,612 Each area which decides to create a store 850 00:57:06,789 --> 00:57:10,051 appoints certain neighbors to collect the merchandise. 851 00:57:15,297 --> 00:57:16,820 This one? 852 00:57:17,131 --> 00:57:18,893 The next one. 853 00:57:19,469 --> 00:57:22,526 Clear the way, comrades. We only want workers here. 854 00:57:26,009 --> 00:57:29,771 Come on, stand back, comrades. Where do I load this? 855 00:57:30,612 --> 00:57:32,373 Is it for this truck? 856 00:57:37,619 --> 00:57:39,141 What else is to be loaded? 857 00:57:40,523 --> 00:57:42,080 Rice. 858 00:57:43,225 --> 00:57:46,021 Onions. 859 00:57:46,762 --> 00:57:49,592 Noodles. Matches. Flour. 860 00:57:49,799 --> 00:57:53,196 The food is supplied by the National Distribution Company 861 00:57:53,369 --> 00:57:55,892 DINAC, the only one controlled by the government. 862 00:57:57,039 --> 00:57:59,402 Although 70% of the distribution business 863 00:57:59,608 --> 00:58:01,836 is in the hands of Allende's enemies 864 00:58:02,045 --> 00:58:05,238 this company manages to serve the most urgent needs 865 00:58:05,415 --> 00:58:07,006 of the working class areas. 866 00:58:11,287 --> 00:58:13,344 The neighbors hire a truck 867 00:58:13,489 --> 00:58:16,182 to transport the goods to the selling point. 868 00:58:16,392 --> 00:58:19,290 This operation is carried out once a week. 869 00:58:59,133 --> 00:59:01,793 It's 8:00 p.m., and you must understand 870 00:59:02,071 --> 00:59:04,764 that other comrades have to help us guard the store. 871 00:59:09,912 --> 00:59:12,037 Anyone want to speak? 872 00:59:12,782 --> 00:59:15,407 The women can stay until 12:00 or 1:00. 873 00:59:15,617 --> 00:59:17,049 The men can come after that. 874 00:59:17,352 --> 00:59:19,443 Comrades, tell me one thing. 875 00:59:19,689 --> 00:59:21,416 Are you happy with this direct supply? 876 00:59:21,623 --> 00:59:23,248 Yes! 877 00:59:29,531 --> 00:59:32,463 In 1973, the people's stores 878 00:59:32,635 --> 00:59:35,601 are feeding some 300,000 families in Santiago 879 00:59:35,938 --> 00:59:38,130 more than half its total population. 880 00:59:38,540 --> 00:59:41,335 In the different communes, these stores 881 00:59:41,510 --> 00:59:43,999 distribute available products in an orderly way. 882 00:59:47,850 --> 00:59:49,543 Semolina. 883 00:59:51,320 --> 00:59:53,650 Five boxes of matches. 884 00:59:54,424 --> 00:59:56,356 They get half a pound of tea 885 00:59:57,292 --> 00:59:59,155 a pound of noodles 886 00:59:59,795 --> 01:00:02,158 and two pounds of rice 887 01:00:02,764 --> 01:00:04,821 and ten pounds of sugar. 888 01:00:24,287 --> 01:00:28,276 Each family group has a card for collecting the goods. 889 01:00:28,490 --> 01:00:30,547 This facilitates distribution planning 890 01:00:30,727 --> 01:00:32,659 and adherence to official prices. 891 01:00:33,094 --> 01:00:36,652 The store is run by the residents' collective 892 01:00:36,833 --> 01:00:38,662 on the basis of volunteer work. 893 01:00:43,672 --> 01:00:46,570 How do you manage to work in the people's store 894 01:00:46,776 --> 01:00:49,038 and have a job at the same time? 895 01:00:49,245 --> 01:00:50,734 For example 896 01:00:50,946 --> 01:00:54,434 we're given the merchandise 897 01:00:55,618 --> 01:00:57,607 they give it to us 898 01:00:58,387 --> 01:00:59,944 on a Saturday or a Friday 899 01:01:00,222 --> 01:01:04,154 so we do the store on a Saturday when I'm not working 900 01:01:06,395 --> 01:01:09,987 And when I can't go, my wife goes 901 01:01:10,198 --> 01:01:12,164 with other women from the neighborhood. 902 01:01:12,368 --> 01:01:14,334 Is direct supply "popular power"? 903 01:01:14,603 --> 01:01:16,626 At the moment, I think it is 904 01:01:16,872 --> 01:01:19,099 because we're seeing how 905 01:01:19,408 --> 01:01:23,135 with this business of direct supply 906 01:01:23,345 --> 01:01:25,971 we're uniting the masses even more. 907 01:01:26,683 --> 01:01:28,911 What do you think of the present situation? 908 01:01:29,485 --> 01:01:32,008 - It's very difficult. - Why? 909 01:01:32,287 --> 01:01:34,185 We can all see the reasons. 910 01:01:34,623 --> 01:01:37,180 The government said yesterday 911 01:01:37,326 --> 01:01:39,349 that the ones who were with Allende 912 01:01:39,995 --> 01:01:41,722 told him to get tough. 913 01:01:42,164 --> 01:01:43,858 But the government can't get tough 914 01:01:44,099 --> 01:01:46,725 because it doesn't have a majority in Congress. 915 01:01:46,936 --> 01:01:49,299 And that's the most serious problem 916 01:01:49,505 --> 01:01:52,596 that our comrade president has at the present moment. 917 01:01:53,776 --> 01:01:56,004 I'm going to defend our government 918 01:01:56,143 --> 01:01:59,541 because we know that it's the people's government 919 01:01:59,715 --> 01:02:01,271 and we have to defend it. 920 01:02:01,984 --> 01:02:04,575 So that's why I say that I'm not afraid 921 01:02:05,054 --> 01:02:06,986 because I've made my mind up. 922 01:02:07,223 --> 01:02:08,849 And I said to my wife 923 01:02:09,057 --> 01:02:11,284 You've got two children, they're grown up. 924 01:02:11,361 --> 01:02:13,190 You'll finish rearing them 925 01:02:13,362 --> 01:02:15,851 and if I have to die for some reason 926 01:02:16,064 --> 01:02:18,757 I want to die defending our cause 927 01:02:18,901 --> 01:02:20,662 as a worker 928 01:02:20,903 --> 01:02:23,835 and because we've been exploited all our lives. 929 01:02:24,073 --> 01:02:32,063 Let's create popular power! 930 01:02:38,755 --> 01:02:42,380 Throughout 1973, the seeds of popular power 931 01:02:42,592 --> 01:02:44,421 spread across the whole country. 932 01:03:02,778 --> 01:03:08,608 Power to the workers! 933 01:03:24,633 --> 01:03:30,725 Let's create popular power! 934 01:03:30,940 --> 01:03:33,031 Meanwhile, in the centers of production 935 01:03:33,241 --> 01:03:34,673 which are in government hands 936 01:03:34,877 --> 01:03:36,968 other kinds of popular power appear. 937 01:03:37,513 --> 01:03:41,240 In the saltpeter mines, the problem of worker control 938 01:03:41,416 --> 01:03:43,143 becomes a kind of popular power. 939 01:03:56,866 --> 01:03:59,094 Going beyond the vindictive fight 940 01:03:59,267 --> 01:04:00,893 people want more transparency 941 01:04:01,103 --> 01:04:02,796 and more efficiency. 942 01:04:05,807 --> 01:04:08,796 If, at this moment, there's an imperialist blockade 943 01:04:08,978 --> 01:04:12,035 and we don't receive raw material or spare parts 944 01:04:12,681 --> 01:04:14,579 what do we have to do in industry? 945 01:04:14,916 --> 01:04:17,245 We have to plan production 946 01:04:17,486 --> 01:04:22,044 and provide organization and good administration 947 01:04:22,224 --> 01:04:24,281 for the repair shops and for the foundries. 948 01:04:24,493 --> 01:04:26,254 Without repair shops 949 01:04:26,462 --> 01:04:29,292 you can't have industrial development in this country. 950 01:04:29,498 --> 01:04:32,521 At this moment, the repair shops are the heart 951 01:04:32,802 --> 01:04:37,359 which can keep the rest of the industry's machinery 952 01:04:37,540 --> 01:04:39,029 alive and functioning 953 01:04:39,241 --> 01:04:42,366 because the comrades here make spare parts. 954 01:04:42,978 --> 01:04:46,001 These comrades invent the spare parts that we need. 955 01:04:46,215 --> 01:04:47,943 They make them for us! 956 01:04:48,149 --> 01:04:51,912 The worker doesn't understand intellectual abstractions. 957 01:04:52,254 --> 01:04:54,652 The worker is fed up with listening to words. 958 01:04:55,223 --> 01:04:57,849 The demands which our comrade made are very serious. 959 01:04:58,094 --> 01:05:01,457 What is he demanding? Objectives, goals at work. 960 01:05:01,664 --> 01:05:04,892 What is he demanding? A rational administration 961 01:05:05,132 --> 01:05:06,496 of the repair shop 962 01:05:06,735 --> 01:05:08,724 with production plans. 963 01:05:09,070 --> 01:05:12,695 We can't carry on with little workshops in each section 964 01:05:12,908 --> 01:05:15,965 because that means a lack of administration 965 01:05:16,111 --> 01:05:18,077 and a division of resources. 966 01:05:18,279 --> 01:05:22,110 And this qualified workforce will get tired and leave. 967 01:05:22,317 --> 01:05:24,579 The comrades will get disillusioned. 968 01:05:24,786 --> 01:05:27,479 There is no comrade here who supports fascism. 969 01:05:27,689 --> 01:05:29,211 They're all workers 970 01:05:29,458 --> 01:05:31,788 and they all have a great workers' awareness. 971 01:05:32,228 --> 01:05:34,888 This is one of the things we've made here 972 01:05:35,129 --> 01:05:38,062 because there's a blockade on importation 973 01:05:38,267 --> 01:05:40,995 What we're seeing here are 974 01:05:41,304 --> 01:05:46,362 circuit breakers which were made in the foundry here. 975 01:05:47,342 --> 01:05:51,399 We used to import these, but as you and everyone know 976 01:05:51,613 --> 01:05:53,011 there's a blockade 977 01:05:53,182 --> 01:05:55,842 so we have to start making the parts. 978 01:05:56,052 --> 01:05:58,176 Now that we're in this situation 979 01:05:58,654 --> 01:06:01,745 where we're being blockade by imperialism 980 01:06:01,924 --> 01:06:05,913 we're ready and determine to fulfill our government's plan 981 01:06:06,061 --> 01:06:09,618 to produce more, to find the solution to the problems here. 982 01:06:09,798 --> 01:06:14,162 Why? So we can make all the spare parts the industry needs 983 01:06:16,304 --> 01:06:20,101 "Machinas" are the workers' answers 984 01:06:20,342 --> 01:06:22,501 to the challenge of problems that arise. 985 01:06:22,844 --> 01:06:24,707 They call them "machinas". 986 01:06:26,549 --> 01:06:28,276 This is a "machina". 987 01:06:28,350 --> 01:06:31,874 You see? We took two big ends and made a new one out of th 988 01:06:32,087 --> 01:06:33,211 What's it for? 989 01:06:33,288 --> 01:06:36,311 - For the locomotives in the mine. - How old are they? 990 01:06:36,525 --> 01:06:40,287 These are from 1928. There aren't any parts for then. 991 01:06:56,411 --> 01:06:58,877 In both the state-run mines and factories 992 01:06:59,081 --> 01:07:01,137 the people want less bureaucracy 993 01:07:01,349 --> 01:07:02,815 and more participation. 994 01:07:03,185 --> 01:07:05,947 This opens a debate on the limitations 995 01:07:06,188 --> 01:07:08,381 of the "peaceful road" towards socialism. 996 01:07:11,059 --> 01:07:13,456 In practice, the struggle for participation 997 01:07:13,696 --> 01:07:15,924 becomes an analysis of reality. 998 01:07:19,935 --> 01:07:21,798 Right, comrades. 999 01:07:22,571 --> 01:07:25,765 Popular Unity has been governing for two years 1000 01:07:26,942 --> 01:07:29,430 and specifically in this company 1001 01:07:29,745 --> 01:07:33,142 there has been no real, effective participation. 1002 01:07:34,183 --> 01:07:37,240 Why has there been no real, effective participation 1003 01:07:37,553 --> 01:07:39,951 and what has happened as a result? 1004 01:07:40,222 --> 01:07:43,416 Worker participation is a political problem. 1005 01:07:44,093 --> 01:07:46,456 Through participation 1006 01:07:46,762 --> 01:07:49,125 workers will be able to break 1007 01:07:49,765 --> 01:07:52,458 the capitalist structures of the companies. 1008 01:07:52,667 --> 01:07:56,463 Because this company still has a capitalist structure 1009 01:07:56,672 --> 01:07:58,228 within its organization. 1010 01:07:58,407 --> 01:08:00,498 We're not in possession of power. 1011 01:08:00,709 --> 01:08:02,299 We're in possession of the government. 1012 01:08:02,544 --> 01:08:06,203 And the companies which are within this government 1013 01:08:06,415 --> 01:08:09,109 also suffer the consequences of these contradictions 1014 01:08:09,318 --> 01:08:10,841 within the political process. 1015 01:08:11,086 --> 01:08:14,609 So participation will break the capitalist structures 1016 01:08:14,789 --> 01:08:17,017 and help the workers set up new organizations 1017 01:08:17,260 --> 01:08:19,658 in this transition to socialism. 1018 01:08:19,997 --> 01:08:23,020 That means the workers must plan 1019 01:08:23,533 --> 01:08:26,022 they must study, and they must organize the company. 1020 01:08:26,303 --> 01:08:30,258 So participation is planning, it's knowledge 1021 01:08:30,473 --> 01:08:32,530 and it's studying the company from within. 1022 01:08:33,310 --> 01:08:35,004 At the moment 1023 01:08:35,078 --> 01:08:40,977 Molino can grind, every day, 1,000 cartloads of nitrate. 1024 01:08:41,185 --> 01:08:45,743 But unfortunately, it's grinding 700 or 800 cartloads 1025 01:08:45,923 --> 01:08:48,616 which isn't in accordance with the production plans 1026 01:08:48,892 --> 01:08:51,380 which have been set out for that section. 1027 01:08:51,696 --> 01:08:54,253 Serious problems? Problems in the mine. 1028 01:08:55,332 --> 01:08:57,696 Problems in the production sector. 1029 01:08:58,001 --> 01:09:00,990 They've got no residue, and they've got no carts. 1030 01:09:01,605 --> 01:09:05,094 But there are 200 old carts dumped in the warehouse. 1031 01:09:05,174 --> 01:09:09,698 According to the workers and the production committees 1032 01:09:09,945 --> 01:09:12,536 out of those 200 carts 1033 01:09:12,917 --> 01:09:16,144 they can make two good car from three bad ones. 1034 01:09:16,320 --> 01:09:19,980 The workers have suggested this as a possible solution. 1035 01:09:20,257 --> 01:09:22,883 They took it to the Departmental Committee, 1036 01:09:23,059 --> 01:09:25,684 and they either get a negative reply 1037 01:09:25,863 --> 01:09:27,453 or no reply at all. 1038 01:09:27,931 --> 01:09:31,226 So how can we say that the worker is participating 1039 01:09:31,633 --> 01:09:34,827 if, when he suggests a way to solve a problem 1040 01:09:35,136 --> 01:09:37,500 and increase production, it's rejected? 1041 01:09:38,476 --> 01:09:42,203 I think that the only solution to this problem 1042 01:09:42,478 --> 01:09:45,036 the problem of acquisitions, 1043 01:09:45,348 --> 01:09:48,837 of spare parts that don't arrive of salaries 1044 01:09:49,018 --> 01:09:51,575 is for the workers to have direct control of production. 1045 01:09:51,788 --> 01:09:53,447 We're doing the producing 1046 01:09:53,691 --> 01:09:55,589 and we must control the whole company. 1047 01:09:55,826 --> 01:09:58,019 It's hard, but it can be done. 1048 01:09:58,194 --> 01:09:59,956 A lot of companies have achieved 1049 01:10:00,197 --> 01:10:03,062 direct control of production. 1050 01:10:03,400 --> 01:10:05,332 We thought that maybe there should be 1051 01:10:05,534 --> 01:10:08,864 an Administration Committee for each important plant. 1052 01:10:09,105 --> 01:10:11,400 The whole problem of participation 1053 01:10:11,641 --> 01:10:13,197 is being discussed. 1054 01:10:13,409 --> 01:10:16,103 Comrades, I therefore consider 1055 01:10:16,311 --> 01:10:18,743 that the union leaders should participate 1056 01:10:18,948 --> 01:10:20,379 because they will know 1057 01:10:20,650 --> 01:10:22,707 the industry's economic conditions. 1058 01:10:23,252 --> 01:10:25,014 And that would be essential 1059 01:10:25,222 --> 01:10:27,711 in order to be able to give the economic conditions 1060 01:10:28,191 --> 01:10:30,680 to the workers with all the facts 1061 01:10:30,928 --> 01:10:32,689 and not be fighting for fighting's sake 1062 01:10:32,929 --> 01:10:36,089 without really knowing what's going on. 1063 01:10:36,900 --> 01:10:40,764 When we say that Chile has a bourgeois capitalist state 1064 01:10:40,938 --> 01:10:43,631 let's remember the High Court which fires ministers 1065 01:10:43,705 --> 01:10:46,466 and let's remember the Legislative Power 1066 01:10:46,675 --> 01:10:48,868 which passes laws against the workers. 1067 01:10:48,945 --> 01:10:52,900 And not just that. It's also on a war footing 1068 01:10:53,050 --> 01:10:55,481 in a seditious way, against the popular government. 1069 01:10:55,619 --> 01:10:58,813 So what should the workers' participation be? 1070 01:10:59,056 --> 01:11:02,613 The planning of the economy via a direct participation 1071 01:11:02,826 --> 01:11:06,189 in which they elect the workers' participants 1072 01:11:06,396 --> 01:11:07,987 by a wide vote 1073 01:11:08,198 --> 01:11:09,858 as is done now in a democratic way. 1074 01:11:10,132 --> 01:11:12,791 And what should the unions do? 1075 01:11:13,037 --> 01:11:15,094 What they've always done throughout history. 1076 01:11:15,272 --> 01:11:17,568 They should defend the working class 1077 01:11:17,775 --> 01:11:20,502 and push for the destruction of the bourgeois state 1078 01:11:20,711 --> 01:11:23,233 as a revolutionary tool serving its class. 1079 01:11:32,789 --> 01:11:36,949 The workers' unease is shared by some company managers. 1080 01:11:37,294 --> 01:11:39,487 The contradictions in the process of changes 1081 01:11:39,695 --> 01:11:43,183 are laid bare in the daily work of these officials. 1082 01:11:47,169 --> 01:11:50,068 This is a revolutionary process but not a revolution. 1083 01:11:51,074 --> 01:11:53,562 And this isn't a proletarian state yet. 1084 01:11:54,044 --> 01:11:56,407 This is a bourgeois capitalist state. 1085 01:11:56,945 --> 01:11:59,775 And this is a nationalized company within that state 1086 01:11:59,951 --> 01:12:01,382 which hasn't changed. 1087 01:12:01,451 --> 01:12:04,043 Now, the problem for the workers here 1088 01:12:04,288 --> 01:12:06,118 isn't having to work 16 hours a day. 1089 01:12:06,457 --> 01:12:10,117 The problem is having to work 16 hours when 1090 01:12:10,327 --> 01:12:13,725 in terms of power or decision making capacity 1091 01:12:13,929 --> 01:12:15,952 things haven't really changed. 1092 01:12:16,366 --> 01:12:18,026 You can 1093 01:12:19,003 --> 01:12:20,662 You can 1094 01:12:21,205 --> 01:12:23,262 ask it of the workers 1095 01:12:25,075 --> 01:12:27,870 demand a greater awareness from them 1096 01:12:28,112 --> 01:12:31,703 but you can appeal to the workers' awareness 1097 01:12:31,915 --> 01:12:34,006 if you give them answers. 1098 01:12:35,317 --> 01:12:38,011 But a new aspect has now appeared 1099 01:12:38,187 --> 01:12:40,346 at the level of the section worker 1100 01:12:40,658 --> 01:12:43,647 within this nationalized company. 1101 01:12:43,893 --> 01:12:47,655 The lack of raw materials and spare parts in the section 1102 01:12:47,729 --> 01:12:50,854 is threatening to limit the wage to a daily rate 1103 01:12:51,101 --> 01:12:54,362 because the bonus is directly linked to production. 1104 01:12:54,704 --> 01:12:57,068 For example, the welder goes to his section. 1105 01:12:57,306 --> 01:12:59,568 He's got work to do, and he's keen to work. 1106 01:12:59,777 --> 01:13:01,970 He can't do it, he's got no soldering iron. 1107 01:13:02,846 --> 01:13:05,471 And the only solution we can give at present 1108 01:13:05,648 --> 01:13:07,876 with the characteristics we announced 1109 01:13:08,084 --> 01:13:10,606 is precisely by planning supplies. 1110 01:13:11,321 --> 01:13:13,049 We have to plan transport. 1111 01:13:13,355 --> 01:13:17,481 If there's a strike by the truck owners tomorrow 1112 01:13:17,861 --> 01:13:20,224 and the fish trucks are stuck in Antofagasta 1113 01:13:20,430 --> 01:13:23,419 the fish will rot because we've got no means of transport. 1114 01:13:23,634 --> 01:13:27,760 We have to plan means of transport and of distribution. 1115 01:13:28,036 --> 01:13:30,093 What have we done about it here? 1116 01:13:30,306 --> 01:13:32,136 We've taken over bakeries, food stores 1117 01:13:32,343 --> 01:13:34,275 canteens, hospitals, guesthouses. 1118 01:13:34,512 --> 01:13:38,774 Because food is distributed through those organizations. 1119 01:13:38,982 --> 01:13:42,073 The problem is extremely serious. 1120 01:13:43,285 --> 01:13:45,547 We are nationalized companies. 1121 01:13:45,855 --> 01:13:47,343 It's true. 1122 01:13:47,590 --> 01:13:49,613 We can impose organization, 1123 01:13:49,792 --> 01:13:53,224 and we can set out some planning lines 1124 01:13:53,695 --> 01:13:56,422 but we come up against the big contradiction. 1125 01:13:56,867 --> 01:13:58,890 The character of the state 1126 01:13:59,402 --> 01:14:01,096 is the same. 1127 01:14:01,504 --> 01:14:04,470 We are nationalized areas within the structure 1128 01:14:04,674 --> 01:14:06,867 of a bourgeois capitalist state 1129 01:14:07,310 --> 01:14:09,299 where the means of oppression 1130 01:14:09,546 --> 01:14:11,739 are still in the hands of the bourgeoisie. 1131 01:14:12,983 --> 01:14:15,210 The government must provide an answer 1132 01:14:15,552 --> 01:14:18,677 to our supply needs, so we can plan ahead 1133 01:14:18,888 --> 01:14:22,980 with the means which the government controls. 1134 01:14:23,426 --> 01:14:25,892 How can you plan in this situation? 1135 01:14:26,295 --> 01:14:29,625 I'm not saying things will be resolved 100% . 1136 01:14:29,933 --> 01:14:31,728 But it's possible 1137 01:14:32,835 --> 01:14:35,630 to come up with an alternative answer. 1138 01:14:35,972 --> 01:14:40,132 We can't just sit back, and fold our arms 1139 01:14:40,276 --> 01:14:42,606 and let the corpse of imperialism pass in front of the house. 1140 01:14:42,846 --> 01:14:46,209 We have to move ahead and go on the offensive 1141 01:14:46,383 --> 01:14:49,975 and gradually take power with the masses 1142 01:14:50,152 --> 01:14:51,515 guaranteeing it with the masses. 1143 01:14:51,655 --> 01:14:54,450 We can't continue delegating the class problem 1144 01:14:54,758 --> 01:14:58,349 to executives, mayors, ministers, parliamentarians. 1145 01:14:58,562 --> 01:15:01,028 The right has a great advantage over us. 1146 01:15:01,265 --> 01:15:04,130 They imprison the executives, accuse the mayors 1147 01:15:04,766 --> 01:15:06,527 question the ministers. 1148 01:15:06,736 --> 01:15:09,361 And I've just learned that last week 1149 01:15:09,639 --> 01:15:12,764 they jailed the Secretary of State, Aníbal Palma. 1150 01:15:13,676 --> 01:15:15,437 So are we going to carry on? 1151 01:15:15,678 --> 01:15:17,769 What do we want? We've got 44% of the vote. 1152 01:15:17,981 --> 01:15:22,970 There's absolutely no chance that we'll ever get 60%. 1153 01:15:23,586 --> 01:15:25,052 It's impossible. 1154 01:15:25,522 --> 01:15:27,511 We must take advantage of the moment 1155 01:15:28,858 --> 01:15:30,517 of the ascent of the masses 1156 01:15:31,461 --> 01:15:33,791 to mobilize them for class objectives. 1157 01:15:42,271 --> 01:15:44,430 In the middle of 1973 1158 01:15:44,673 --> 01:15:47,503 the impatience of some popular sectors increases. 1159 01:15:48,078 --> 01:15:50,168 In the more aggressive workplaces 1160 01:15:50,379 --> 01:15:53,470 some workers are discussing some basic problems 1161 01:15:53,684 --> 01:15:55,445 of the transition to socialism. 1162 01:16:00,991 --> 01:16:05,117 Just now, I see that people are questioning 1163 01:16:05,329 --> 01:16:07,023 the Constitution and legality. 1164 01:16:07,696 --> 01:16:10,128 And if the working classes are questioning 1165 01:16:11,233 --> 01:16:12,722 the Judicial Power 1166 01:16:12,935 --> 01:16:14,958 the Constitution and the government 1167 01:16:15,170 --> 01:16:17,762 that means we are entering the stage 1168 01:16:17,975 --> 01:16:19,463 of the taking of power. 1169 01:16:19,710 --> 01:16:22,403 Because some things are no longer valid. 1170 01:16:22,713 --> 01:16:24,645 We have the industrial belts. 1171 01:16:24,814 --> 01:16:28,076 The growing popular power is surpassing the State itself. 1172 01:16:28,317 --> 01:16:31,249 The existing institutions are of no use to us anymore. 1173 01:16:31,455 --> 01:16:33,819 They can't fulfill their role. 1174 01:16:34,357 --> 01:16:37,448 So the workers are providing new institutions 1175 01:16:37,995 --> 01:16:41,586 because our class must us the government apparatus now 1176 01:16:41,831 --> 01:16:43,694 to crush the other class 1177 01:16:43,933 --> 01:16:45,728 the one which always crushed us. 1178 01:16:46,035 --> 01:16:48,262 Let the boot be on the other foot now. 1179 01:16:56,244 --> 01:16:59,040 A key feature of popular power is that it opens 1180 01:16:59,249 --> 01:17:02,647 a new horizon of political development for the masses. 1181 01:17:03,520 --> 01:17:06,714 This initiates a critical process within the left. 1182 01:17:08,423 --> 01:17:10,446 Many people sense a tragic ending 1183 01:17:10,693 --> 01:17:12,386 given the impossibility 1184 01:17:12,629 --> 01:17:15,220 of President Allende continuing to advance. 1185 01:17:19,069 --> 01:17:21,660 Tell me, comrade, what must be done? 1186 01:17:21,903 --> 01:17:25,801 Look, we're living through a very difficult time. 1187 01:17:26,208 --> 01:17:28,572 It's really a very difficult time. 1188 01:17:29,678 --> 01:17:33,133 We must have a real clean-up from top to bottom! 1189 01:17:34,584 --> 01:17:38,539 If the government can't shake off certain commitments 1190 01:17:38,888 --> 01:17:40,820 it's going to be liquidated. 1191 01:17:41,423 --> 01:17:45,355 The government has got no alternative 1192 01:17:45,529 --> 01:17:48,359 but to take things in hand. 1193 01:17:48,797 --> 01:17:50,626 Take things in hand. 1194 01:17:51,166 --> 01:17:54,860 The government has to do that and clean up the country. 1195 01:17:55,105 --> 01:17:56,934 It's for the homeland. 1196 01:17:57,406 --> 01:17:59,895 The homeland remains, we'll all pass on. 1197 01:18:01,245 --> 01:18:05,042 We'll reach such a delicate moment, there'll be a crisis. 1198 01:18:06,180 --> 01:18:07,703 Tell me, comrade. 1199 01:18:08,151 --> 01:18:11,412 Do you thank that it's time for a firm hand? 1200 01:18:11,921 --> 01:18:14,546 This is our opportunity. It's now or never. 1201 01:18:15,058 --> 01:18:18,751 The enemy is extremely well-prepared. 1202 01:18:19,962 --> 01:18:22,792 And he won't give us any respite. 1203 01:18:23,532 --> 01:18:27,259 Now is our chance to do it. We have to do it now or never 1204 01:18:28,605 --> 01:18:32,094 Because the enemy knows what's in store for him. 1205 01:18:32,742 --> 01:18:36,004 He knows that he'll never get back what he's lost 1206 01:18:36,212 --> 01:18:38,235 and he's like the devil. 1207 01:18:39,047 --> 01:18:44,105 We'll keep on going, comrade. See you, comrade. 1208 01:18:45,055 --> 01:18:47,543 - We'll be seeing you. - I hope so. 1209 01:18:48,992 --> 01:18:52,515 We have to make it, it's now or never. 1210 01:18:57,333 --> 01:18:59,390 We'll keep going, comrade. 1211 01:18:59,669 --> 01:19:01,794 See you, comrade.