Southwest London Socialist Party

"Chile 1973 - When workers could have taken power"

Public meeting: All welcome! 7.30 PM this Thursday, 05 October, Vauxhall.

The international workers’ movement celebrated the election of Salvador Allende’s socialist government in Chile in 1970. Three years later, a CIA-backed military coup swept the dictator Pinochet into power, which he retained with US and UK support until 1990.

The speaker will be Tony Saunois, secretary of the Committee for a Workers International (CWI). who lived in Chile for a period under the dictatorship, clandestinely building support for the ideas of international socialism and the CWI.

What lessons from the events of 1973 are relevant today?

What could Allende have done differently?

What role could a revolutionary party have played?

Meeting Details:

The meeting will be held in the TOP Room of the Bonnington Centre, 11 Vauxhall Grove, London SW8 1TD. If you struggle to find the place give Berkay a ring on 07780449141

Chile 1973 - when workers could have taken power: public meeting 05 October, 7.30 pm, Top Room Bonnington Centre, 11 Vauxhall Grove, SW8 1TD.

Today is the fiftieth anniversary of the coup in Chile against the democratically elected socialist government of Salvador Allende. Opposing the social reforms and nationalisations of Allende's government, the forces of reaction moved against him.

The resulting military-police dictatorship of General Pinochet would remain in power until 1990, a regime that executed leftists and "disappeared" opponents. Effectively Chile was one huge prison for workers.

Despite this, the big capitalist powers were happy to do business with the dictatorship. Chile became a test bed for the right wing economics that would be imposed in the UK and US by Thatcher, Reagan and their successors.

The coup is a warning of what the capitalists and their state will be prepared to do to maintain their system. Allende remains a hero for the workers' movement internationally but he made mistakes, refusing to arm workers against the coup that was coming and even promoted Pinochet.

The speaker at our meeting will be Tony Sanouis, who lived in Chile for a period under the dictatorship, clandestinely building support for the ideas of the Committee for a Workers International.

Below is a link to an article by Tony from Socialism Today, details of our meeting and pictures and cartoons from 1973.

https://socialismtoday.org/chile-1973-heroism-was-not-enough

Great campaign stall today in Clapham. Campaigning to save the NHS, kick out the Tories and for a new workers party.

Stockwell today: Southwest London Socialist Party out campaigning. Save the NHS from Tory wreckers! Coordinate strike action to win!

Out today in Croydon campaigning against council cuts and the 15% council tax rise.

The 1% are raking in their profits while the working and middle class are squeezed.

Open meeting to organise a campaign against the cuts and council tax rises, 7.30pm, 6 April, Spreadeagle Pub Croydon (next to the town hall).

Campaigning today in Clapham to get the Tories out. A lot of people going past with thumbs up, saying the Tories are doing a good job of getting themselves out. True, but they need a push from coordinated strike action to finish off the job. TUC - Step up to the plate!

"What’s next for the workers movement ?"

Meeting this Thursday, 28 September, 7.30pm

Helen Pattinson, London Socialist Party, introducing the discussion. We'll also be discussing the week's work and local activity.

The meeting will be held at Park Hill Housing Coop, 13 Allard Gardens, Park Hill, Clapham, SW4 9QA, buzz for Room 13.

If you struggle to find the place give Berkay a ring on 07780449141.

Here's something to read about the issues we're discussing and debating:

Strike wave is back - and growing - Socialist Party The National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) has rearranged its pre-TUC Congress event to Sunday 16 October. The push into autumn makes this even more important.

Public meeting this Thursday:

"Following the reversal of Roe v. Wade: The Fight For Abortion Rights in the US!"

with Christine Thomas, author of "It Doesn't Have To Be This Way: Women and the Struggle for Socialism" introducing the discussion.

We'll also be discussing local campaigning activity.

Date/time: Thursday 14th July, 7.30pm

The Bread & Roses Pub
68 Clapham Manor Street
SW4 6DZO

If you struggle to find the place give Berkay a ring on 07780449141. We will not be able to zoom this meeting.

Johnson gone
Now let’s organise to get the
TORIES OUT!
🤝 All strike together
🚩 Build a new mass workers’ party
✊ Join the Socialist Party
www.socialistparty.org.uk

Join the National Shop Stewards Network lobby of the TUC trade union leadership
Strike together
Co-ordinate the action
Sunday 11 September 1pm,
Holiday Inn Hotel, Brighton
www.shopstewards.net