All language subtitles for Batalla de Chile I - La insurreccion de la burguesia (Guzman, 1975)-ENG

THE BATTLE OF CHILE

The struggle of
an unarmed people

a Patricio Guzmán Film

In memory of
Jorge Müller Silva

Part One: THE INSURRECTION
OF THE BOURGEOISIE

Six months before the bombing
of the La Moneda palace

the Chilean people are
voting to renew Parliament.

The political forces are
divided in two blocks.

On one side, the center right
opposition

made up by the Christian
Democrat and National parties.

On the other,
the left wing parties

grouped together
in Popular Unity

and supporting
Salvador Allende.

The left, united,
will never be defeated!

Synch!

The left, united,
will never be defeated!

Cut!

Clapper!

Sir, who do you think will win
the elections on Sunday?

Well, I'm apolitical.

Ma'am, who do you think
will win?

The opposition has to win.
- The opposition? -Yes.

- By what percentage?
- I've got no idea.

Frei! Jarpa! Labbé!

All three are rubbish!

Frei! Jarpa! Labbé!

All three are rubbish!

Who will you be voting for
in the elections?

For Volodia Teitelboim
and Eliana Aranibar.

How do you see the future?

We'll continue to progress
but we must keep fighting

much more
than we have done.

What can I say about Frei?
When he was in government

I lived in a shack
that was falling down.

It was damp all the time

and my four children
had bronchopneumonia.

I asked everywhere for help
and nobody listened to me.

But now, wherever I go,
I'm seen to

and thanks to Allende,
I've got a lovely house.

I don't have many comforts,
but we don't go hungry.

I'm retired.

I'm retired.

No government has ever done
what this government has.

- Who's going to win?
- Popular Unity

because the workers
have to decide Chile's fate.

What do you think
of the Christian Democracy?

I think that the Christian
Democracy is a party

which has always defended
the interests of its class

but never the interests
of the working class.

Thank you. Over there, Flaco.
Film the drinks seller.

Excuse me, comrade.

Comrade, who's going to win
on Sunday?

- I couldn't say.
- You couldn't say? -No, sir.

- I've got no idea. -Do you
read the papers? -Not a lot.

- Who'll win on Sunday?
- We will, the PU.

- We've got the majority.
- We'll get 45%.

Popular Unity is going to win
by an overwhelming amount.

It's the workers' government,
the people's government.

The people have seen
the benefits

that socialism brings
for all the citizens.

Thank you, comrade.
Cut!

Sir, what percentage
do you give to Popular Unity?

The truth is

Popular Unity
is going to win

because we started out
in 1970 with 36%

and at the present time,
with all that we've seen

and the people who are with
comrade Salvador Allende

we're guaranteed
to get 43% and more.

43% and more.

Good afternoon, ladies.

Who will you vote for?

I'm voting for
Volodia Teitelboim

and Eliana Aranibar.

What percentage do you give
Popular Unity?

Over 40%.

- And the food shortage?
- I don't think there is one.

I haven't lost
an ounce of weight!

Recording!

Sir, what do you think
about the elections?

Popular Unity are going
to get less than 20%.

How do you see the future?

Whatever happens, we'll still
have lots of problems.

Sir, what do you think
about the elections?

- Leave me alone.
- Thank you.

What do you think
about the elections?

The opposition will win,
especially the National Party.

And the future?

Chile has to rise up
with freedom and democracy.

Sir, what do you think about
the elections on Sunday?

I think it's a plebiscite

and on Sunday
Chile is going to decide

if it wants Marxism
or freedom.

How do you view the future,
after the elections?

The only solution is
a change of government.

- Do you believe in elections?
- Yes, of course.

Sir, what do you think about
the elections on Sunday?

I think that the Popular Front
is going to get a hammering

and it's going
to be wiped out.

- Do you believe in elections?
- Yes, absolutely.

What percentages for Popular
Unity and the National Party?

30% and 70%.

- How do you see the future?
- The future?

Chile's always had
a promising future.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

Ma'am, what's your position
as regards the elections?

Jarpa and Alessandri.

- What's your preference?
- The National Party.

Do you believe in elections
or in other methods?

I think there has to be
a firm line.

There must never be any question
of playing with the people.

How do you view the future,
after the elections?

We have to work hard
to rebuild Chile.

- Sir, who will you be voting for?
- For Jarpa.

And who'll win
the elections?

The opposition will, easily.

- And with what percentage?
-65% at least.

And what will happen
in Chile then?

The government will have
to respect the majority.

Do you believe in elections
or in other methods?

- Elections.
- Thank you.

They should impeach
the President!

- What? -They should impeach him
and throw him out on May 21!

He's destroyed the country,
ruined it

and this is a corrupt,
degenerate government!

Degenerate, corrupt, filthy!

All those dirty communists
should get out of Chile!

On May 21, thank God,
we'll have

the cleanest, finest
government we've ever had!

Democracy will win

and we'll get rid of those
rotten Marxist communists!

Who do you prefer
among the opposition?

Candidates? Jarpa
and Gustavo Alessandri.

And what percentage?

My idea would be 100%

but really I think
it'll be around 70%.

Power to the workers!

Comrade, what's your opinion
about the elections?

I say Popular Unity will win.

And to hell with
the "mummies" on the right!

We'll win with Popular Unity.
Here and everywhere else.

The "mummies"
can drop dead!

Power to the workers!

What do you think
about the elections?

We have to fight to get
a big majority.

We who can see things
very clearly

realize that the only way
to get power

given that we've got
the government

is by winning the Chamber
of Deputies and the Senate.

What it really means is
getting a bit more power

more power for the class.

But, even so

it isn't the definitive
solution.

We believe that one election
more or less

won't solve the problem
and avoid the civil war.

The civil war is
inevitable and fundamental.

And it's going to happen,
because at present

the classes are becoming
more and more polarized.

On one side, the bourgeoisie,
on the other, the proletariat.

That confrontation
will come.

Forward without compromise!

As usual, the armed forces
guarantee order

during the elections.

The opposition votes,
confident of victory.

With a two thirds majority
in Parliament

it could remove President
Allende by impeaching him.

For that, they need more
than 60% of the votes.

For Popular Unity,
this is the first ballot

with all the opposition forces
since the presidential victory in 1970.

It's also a chance to measure
their electoral strength

after two years
of an economic boycott

imposed by Washington,
and internal opposition.

On Sunday, March 4
at 8:00 a. m., voting has started.

Good afternoon, ma'am.

We're doing interviews
for Channel 13.

We'd like to know your views
and who you think will win.

- We're sorry to bother you.
- No, it's no bother.

I like Baltra.
I voted for him.

- Baltra?
- Yes.

What do you think
the percentages will be?

- Do you want to come in?
- Yes, if we may.

Sir, we're doing interviews
for Channel 13.

Could you tell us how you
think the percentages will be?

- I don't know, I don't vote.
- You don't?

- You've got no preference?
- None.

You said you voted for Baltra.
At what time?

It's Channel 13.
No, I voted for Jarpa.

- You voted for Jarpa?
- Yes.

- At what time did you vote?
- At 11:00 a. m.

- In what commune?
- The National Stadium.

What do you think
of the elections today?

I think it's great

and I think that democracy
is going to win.

What do you think will happen
in the future in Chile?

Everything will be sorted out
and we'll rebuild Chile.

Do you think the President
should be removed or not?

I couldn't say, but all this
has to be sorted out.

What did you think of Jarpa's
meeting here two days ago?

Fantastic!
I saw it from here.

Did it really catch
your attention?

Of course! The crowds
and the enthusiasm

and all very orderly.

Well, I thought it was great,
and we're going to win!

And what about the alliance
with Christian Democracy?

I think it's splendid,
really good.

You feel happy
about that alliance?

Yes, I do, because I think
it'll fix everything.

Thank you very much.

At 5:00 p. m., the first
results start to come in.

The Interior Minister,
Genera Carlos Prats

ensures the maximum
guarantees of honesty

for all the sectors.

Nevertheless, before
the count is finished

some media are announcing
a victory for the opposition.

They don't say that over 40%
of the votes are for the left.

The opposition, who never
doubted their victory

celebrate the supposed end
of Popular Unity.

What do you think
of the elections?

We're winning!
We've got over 60%!

What do you think
of the elections?

Fantastic! But we were
bound to win!

Sir, what do you

Great! I'm Argentinean and I'm
delighted that Frei has won!

It's terrific! Chile needs
a few more Freis.

Over here!
Come on, Flaco, move it!

- How do you feel about it?
- It's a great victory!

It's a fantastic success!
We're delighted!

How do you see the future?

A plebiscite, and we'll win
the elections.

Allende will have to leave
Chile immediately.

- Would you impeach him?
- Yes, of course.

Anyway, so long!

What do you think
about today's elections?

It's a triumph for democracy
and Chile will always be free!

- What will happen now?
- God forbid anything does.

All we ask is that Chile
is always free!

Are you in favor
of impeaching Allende?

- Yes, sir.
- Yes.

You don't think that could
cause a civil war?

- It doesn't matter.
- We've got the majority.

What do you think
of the election?

We finally beat
those bastards!

What do you think
of the election?

Very good, magnificent.

I'd just like to say that
it's really wonderful.

The PU ended up
in the garbage

to put it politely!

- Who was your favorite?
- Frei.

I am Alfonso
Carrasco Cerda

president of the Bank of
Chile retirement club.

I believe that
we have defended

democracy and freedom
in Chile.

Would you like to
say anything else?

Yes!

Greetings to all the people

who have helped
to free our country.

After midnight,
the final results

spread confusion
among the opposition.

The dreamed-of number of votes
evaporates in disaster.

Against all predictions

Popular Unity doesn't only
not lose electoral support

it increases it.

Rejecting the calculations, one sector
of the opposition talks of fraud

and sends its troublemakers
onto the street.

A few days later, the Election
Examination Tribunal

controlled by the opposition
is obliged to confirm the official results.

The opposition parties are very far
from the 2/3 they'd dreamed of

in order to remove
Salvador Allende.

Popular Unity increase
to 43.4% of the votes

and increase their numbers
in Parliament.

They obtain
unprecedented support

after two and a half years
in office.

For the opposition

the swearing-in
of the new deputies

marks the end of
the electoral phase.

Honorable deputies

do you swear or promise

to protect the
Constitution of the State

and defend, in the exercise
of your duties

its true interests?

Yes, we do.

I hereby declare you
incorporated.

The aims of the present
session being completed

it is now adjourned.

From now on, the White House
and the Chilean opposition

realize that the mechanisms

of representative democracy
are of no use to them.

The votes won by
the Government coalition

show that the desire
for social change

has not decreased, despite
the millions of dollars

invested by the
North American government.

After March, the strategy of
the democratic opposition

will be, paradoxically,
that of the coup d'état.

HOARDING
AND THE BLACK MARKET

Thanks to a complaint
lodged by a neighbor

it was discovered that here
in 319 Copiap Street

the following stocks
were being hoarded.

20 tons of sugar,
400 boxes of toilet rolls

500 boxes of detergent,
100 boxes of Nescafé

100 boxes of condensed milk,
50 boxes of salmon

large amounts of rice.

This will be sold to the
neighbors in this sector

a large number of whom
are gathered here.

I'd say this sale will last
for approximately three days.

The Government strengthens

the Councils for
Provisions and Prices.

In theory, these are
local organizations

to supervise
food distribution

and report any
speculating by shopkeepers.

When the Councils discover
any hoarding

the Government
intervenes

and the products
are put on sale.

In the warehouse belonging
to Mrs. Moreno Díaz

the following goods
were found.

310 packets of tea

2 boxes of"350"

53 boxes of baby food.

All of it had been eaten
by mice.

I bought detergent and two
little packets of tea

because I didn't have
any more money with me.

I couldn't buy any more.

Well, I've got ten children

and I have to waste
the whole morning looking

We have to put an end
to the black market.

We have to close the shops
and jail the owners.

We have to do that
to scare those people

so they stop speculating.

I think there are
lots of provisions.

Look at how often we've seen
in the newspapers here

about all the tons of sugar,
all that stuff that's hoarded.

In March, there are 3,000
COPPs in all of Chile.

In some cases, they introduce
ration cards

in order to improve
distribution

What's the card?
Can we see it?

It's my ration card.
I've got 14 rations.

I've got 2 stock cubes
marked down.

No, 4 cubes,
when they arrive.

If more come,
they give you more.

It's all rationed.
Coffee, milk, everything.

Can you get by on that?

Yes, we can get by.
And if we don't

then we try to buy
other things instead.

Will we collect the
the vegetables you bought?

The main aims
of the opposition

are to disrupt
food supplies

exhaust the reserve stocks
and sabotage harvests

so as to increase the
scarcity of basic necessities.

Is there any oil?

I don't know
if there's any today

but I got oil
three days ago.

Would you like
to say anything

to other comrades?
We're making a documentary.

I'll put up with everything
that happens so that

at least my children
can have a better future.

I approve of this government.

- Would you like to say more?
- No, that's all, thank you.

PARLIAMENTARY BO YCOTT

For the opposition,
the example of the COPPs

is getting dangerous.

Congress begins an indictment
against Orlando Millas

the minister who
promoted the COPPs.

The opposition is using its
simple majority in Congress

to discredit
the government.

Here are all the documents
which record the accusations.

In this case, to comply with
the regulation procedures

the opposition appoints
one of its deputies

to interrogate a neighbor,
a member of the COPPS.

What do they actually do?

How does this organization
COPP work?

As I think I already said

COPP is an organization

of people, residents,
workers, housewives

who join together and,
by a group decision

are given the authority

to control, or rather
to oversee

if there are sufficient
provisions or not

in their neighborhood.

That's what I'm trying
to get you to explain to me.

- Yes.
- You understand?

I'm just trying to guide you.
That doesn't mean

that I'm trying to get you
to say something.

I like to be very honest
in my dealings.

If I can just explain,
I think that the function

of this organization
COPP

is to fulfill the role of ensuring

that people receive
sufficient provisions

for all the family groups
living in the neighborhood.

Although the opposition
fails to prove anything

the accusation
is maintained.

The procedure will be repeated
with other top officials.

The ministers either give in
or are expelled.

Through the accusations

the opposition provokes
a conflict of powers

between Parliament and
the President of the Republic.

In all the cases,
a representative of the left

will demonstrate the legal
fragility of the accusations.

Consequently

the Minister of State
is only responsible

for his actions to the
President of the Republic.

And he cannot be subordinated,
as regards

the appropriateness
of his actions

to the view of
the majority in Congress.

That political judgment
is only granted

to the President
of the Republic.

In the specific case
of Mr. Millas

Minister of the Economy,
who is being indicted here

the process of indictment cannot
be used to pass judgment

on the provisions policy
promoted by the minister

on his price control policy

or on the way in which
he is guiding

the work of production,
provisioning

and genera distribution
of the Chilean economy.

Therefore

not only is
this indictment

invalid, ineffective
and illegal

it is an indictment

which adulterates,
disregards and violates

the area which
the Constitution

grants to the President

as regards his essential
prerogatives and authority.

Days later,
in the Chamber of Deputies

the vote is held on
expelling Minister Millas.

In a period of three months,
the opposition remove

two of Allende's intendants
and seven of his ministers.

That is, one high ranking
Popular Unity official

every ten days.

And they refuse
to let us use

the laws which they had
in their hands

and used
against the people.

But then

when we do it to defend
the legitimate government

and the progress
of the workers

an attitude of resistance
appears in those sectors

which have all
the guarantees

of the reality being
experienced by our country.

And this is a government

which isn't socialist.

It is a popular,
democratic

national, revolutionary
government

which must carry out
a program

to open, as broadly
and as quickly as possible

the path to socialism

and the transformation
of our society.

LEGALITY OR ILLEGALITY

GOVERNMENT MUST RESPECT
COURT DECISION

Shortly after, the opposition
begins an indictment

against all the ministers
in the government.

This means the dismissal
of 15 ministers at one time.

However, popular pressure

forces one sector of the
opposition to pull back

and the maneuver fails.

It's the right who've always
been interfering

trying to get us to bring
down the government.

But that'll never happen.

The workers elected
this government

and it will continue

and we'll defend it
with our lives if necessary.

If they want us on the street,
we'll be there

and if we have to fight,
we'll fight, as workers

in defense of our
workers' democracy.

On April 17

the government decides
to expropriate legally

another 49 industries which
are boycotting production.

In reply, Congress presents
a constitutional reform

which invalidates
almost all expropriations already made.

The Christian Democracy
and the National Party

say that the Head of State
has no right of veto in this.

He has to promulgate
the reform

and hand back the factories
without argument.

This means that Congress,
by simple majority

wants to deprive Salvador
Allende of an authority

which other Chilean
leaders had.

Those men on the right
are getting huge salaries

and all they're doing
is wrecking the country.

Wrecking the country and
getting well paid to do it!

And we got a big surprise

when we saw that
our factory, our workplace

had been completely
dismantled

because those gentlemen

had stolen
all the machinery.

We don't want to have anything
to do with the bosses.

They've been dragging their
feet for a long time

to such an extent

that the companies
ended up being expropriated.

It's been proved that
the industrialists here

had started an open boycott
on production.

And we're against that.

I want this to be sorted out.

The government should
expropriate the industry

because we can't work
with the bosses.

What did they call
this factory?

They called it "the jail"

because of
the feudal mentality

that our bosses had.

And fellow workers
in other industries

called it "the Santa Elena jail"
because of the pressure.

On May 23, Eduardo Frei

Christian Democrat
and ex-President of Chile

is elected
Head of the Senate.

One of his main tasks

will be to aggravate
the conflict of powers.

If Allende rejects
the reform

and doesn't return
the industries

he'll be accused of
overstepping the constitution.

If he accepts,
Parliament will then have

effective control
of the State.

Allende considers this
position to be illegal

and appeals to
the Constitutional Tribunal.

We understand

that at this moment
what is fundamental

is to reinforce
government policy

and conquer
the instruments

ensuring that there is
institutional permeability

so that the opposition
understands

that they can't deny what
is vital to a government

to be able
to defend Chile

in the face of
an economic reality

which is the result,
not of errors made by us

without denying
the ones we've made

but of international
and national factors

which weigh heavy

especially when
a government, like ours

is confronted
with imperialism

and with a landowning,
banking and feudal oligarchy.

Those deputies who reject the
proposal, raise their hands.

Parliament will now seek

a definitive blockade
of the government.

In the months of April,
May and June

Congress declares
a boycott

on any initiative
by Popular Unity.

Result of the voting.

In favor, 52 votes.

Against, 81.

The Executive's proposal
is rejected.

The law to punish economic
crimes is rejected.

The law to create a Ministry
for the Family is rejected.

The law on readjustments
and salaries for workers

is deferred, and then
got out of the way.

The law on workers'
participation in factories

is rejected.

The law to create a Maritime
Ministry is rejected.

The law to set up self-
managing firms is rejected.

In the course
of several months

another 20 projected laws
lose their financing.

Nationalism!

Present!

Nationalism!

Forward!

- National Front!
- Homeland and Freedom!

This is a shock squadron

from the fascist group,
"Homeland and Freedom".

- Chile!
- One!

- Chile!
- Great!

- Chile!
- Free!

Forward Chile!

- National Front!
- Homeland and Freedom!

Institutional conflict alone

is not enough to justify
a coup d'état.

It is also necessary
to provoke violence

and social chaos.

That is the main aim
of this organization.

"Homeland and Freedom"
constitutes a tiny part

of the right-wing
mass movement

but its fascist ideology is found
in some opposition parties

and the armed forces.

Its leaders and ideologists
include former employees

of the U.S. information
services in Chile.

Its patrons are the big
employers' associations

the National Agriculture Society
and Manufacturing Development.

But their biggest helper

is the North American
State Department.

In 1974, some ex-officials
of that Department

reveal that at that time

the CIA had 40 first-class
agents in Chile

many of them instructors
for "Homeland and Freedom".

STUDENT DISTURBANCES

In April, the opposition
find a pretext

for continuing
the social agitation.

The Government has presented
a bill on Education Reform

to democratize the old
educational structure.

Feeling itself threatened

the opposition mobilizes
its troublemakers.

For the first time in Chile,
a large number of students

let themselves be used by
the more privileged classes.

The opposition parties,
professionals

and retailers'
associations

support the street
disturbances.

We won't be on the defensive
anymore.

We won't be the puppets

of reaction anymore.

Because from here on,
comrades

we have to make
the questions into reality.

And we have to tackle
conflictive problems.

And we have to attack
whoever gets in our way.

And we're not going
on the streets

to fight with
right-wing kids.

The police and the soldiers
can see to them

and put them
out of action.

We have to see
how to confront the State.

It's a bourgeois State
which we have to overthrow.

Yesterday we saw
various groups

making demands
for different things

and using

class comrades,
the Chilean reaction

in what were really
subversive situations.

In other words,
what comrades think

about the distribution
situation

about the law
on agrarian reform

about the nationalization
of monopolies.

Those are fundamental
questions

which we, as workers,
should consider

and which we wish to
resolve with a plebiscite

and not be dragged along
by the reactionaries

with effective mobilization
of the workers.

We can't accept this
escalation day after day.

We've been observing
this situation

and we said in October

that they were going
to prepare another one.

They're repeating themselves,
they don't even have

the initiative to change
what they did in October.

And we, the workers,
must go out now

and stop these people
for once and for all

and demand a plebiscite
on fundamental issues.

How are we going to resolve
the transport problem?

Every time they have
to attack the government

they bring transport
to a standstill, don't they?

Because they control
the drivers.

Most of the drivers
have no class awareness.

They aren't in any union.

All they worry about
is their percentage

how much they'll earn.

They don't go
to union meetings.

So there aren't many unions
doing well in transport.

Even the ones doing well
are doing badly.

Given the threat

of a national commercial
stoppage next week

there should be
immediate nationalization

of distribution
monopolies.

Given the threat of a boycott
on production and economy

the government must issue
an expropriation order

against those companies
which form part of the group of 90

still not in the hands
of the workers.

The working class should be
integrated immediately

into the planning
of the economy.

There is no doubt
that at this moment

the resolutions must

deal with the problems
in the transport section.

We, the workers in the
Public Works Department

have, at this moment, got
everyone ready to march

and parade past Congress.

Any objections to that?

- To Parliament!
- To Parliament!

We ask our comrades in the
Public Works Department

if they can obtain means
of transport, trucks, vans

in order to transport
groups of workers

who will be leaving
the factories.

There are trucks and buses,
comrade.

The left, united,
will never be defeated!

On April 27,
the Trades Union Council

calls a mass meeting
in support of the government.

They try, by means of
the workers' presence

to prevent the streets
of Santiago

from being taken
by opposition agitators.

Power to the workers!

We want popular power!

The left, united,
will never be defeated!

People! Consciousness! Arms!

We want popular power!

Demonstrators passing
the offices

of the Christian
Democrat Party

are suddenly attacked.

Shots fired from the windows
kill one worker

and seriously injure
another six.

The people who provoked us
are responsible for this.

- And the dead and wounded?
- Who are they? Where are they?

One person was shot dead and
six wounded. We saw it all.

Are we supposed to let people
come and walk over us?

Who protected us?

You're justifying that death.

And you're speaking in the
Christian Democrat offices!

You can't push me around in the
Christian Democrat offices!

Senator, why did you hit
a journalist?

Fascists!

Where did they fire from?
At what time?

That isn't clear.
It's being investigated.

Anyway

it's the magistrate
who's in charge here.

In this case

the police and everything
to do with public order

is subject to the
magistrate and the court.

That's what the code on
penal procedure says.

The influence
of the violent groups

is obvious in the Christian
Democrat Party.

Senator Juan Hamilton,
from the party's conservative wing

refuses to make
a statement.

- A moment's silence, comrades!
- Everyone keep calm!

Everyone move back a bit,
please, move back!

We're all right here!

- Comrade José Ricardo Ahumada!
- Present!

- Comrade José Ricardo Ahumada!
- Present!

- With your example
- We shall overcome!

Please, comrades, don't push!
Don't push!

Popular Unity against
the criminal "mummies"!

Comrade José
Ricardo Ahumada!

Present!

- Who killed him?
- The "mummies".

300,000 people turn up
on April 30

to say farewell
to the dead worker.

Reckoning that conditions
still aren't right

the opposition ends this
period of street disorder.

The attempts to punish
those responsible

for Ahumada's death
are unsuccessful.

Justice acts with
obvious slowness.

The Supreme Court

ensures that the sentence
is never enforced.

OFFENSIVE BY
THE EMPLO YERS' ORGANIZATIONS

Once again, our organization
is gathered together

summoned by
the national leaders

to study price increases

and establish our new tariffs.

Our first speaker

is the president of Chile's
National Confederation

of Taxis and Buses,
Ernesto Cisterna Solís.

- An eye for an eye!
- A tooth for a tooth!

I think that this assembly
should say to the minister

that we are tired of seeing
such ineffectiveness

and such inability
in solving our problems.

During the three years
of Popular Unity

the American Institute
for Free Trade Unionism

financed indirectly by the CIA

directs its work towards
the Chilean organizations.

In April, 108 managers

mainly from
the transport sector

receive training
in the United States.

We mustn't confuse
awareness with patience.

We don't want politics

with the tariffs
or with the organization

but we need to survive.

We have to defend
our interests

and to do that
we must fight as one man

with our
National Board of Owners

and go out on the street

in such a way
that they see us

and feel the strength
of our organization

with bravery, with fervor

but above all else

as Chileans,
and with dignity.

We can't keep on patching
and mending

and wearing ourselves out.

The vehicles have got old

and the bent backs
of many of the owners

have grown old too!

Generations of them!

It's a matter of putting food
on the table

of surviving,
of holding out

of being able to save
this sector

because with that
we are saving

the jobs of millions
of people

who have faith
and confidence

in this working man

in this ill-treated
transporter.

He's the person
who's building Chile!

He's the revolutionary!

Who can deny that
the moment has come

for the entire Chilean
transport sector

without distinction

fighting on
a single platform

to propose this
national stoppage!

In May, one third of
collective transport

is immobilized by
a lack of spare parts

from North America.

In 1973, importations
from the United States

drop to 15% of the total.

To protest against
this state of affairs

but also to aggravate it

the owners of private buses
call an indefinite strike.

During the conflict, the state company,
with only 600 vehicles

has to do the work normally done
by Santiago's 5,000 private buses.

To help ease the effects
of the strike

workers bring factory
trucks onto the streets.

What do you think
of the strike?

We all have to fight
so that

the government can have confidence
thanks to the workers.

We must fight the strike.

- How do we do that?
- By staying united.

- How far did you walk?
- About 70 blocks, with my two kids.

- What do you say?
- I think that this is the moment

when the people
have to demonstrate

the capacity for struggle
which they have developed

in the course of
this whole process.

And it doesn't matter

what kind of sacrifice
we have to make

as long as we can keep
working and producing.

Anyone else want to speak?

The "mummies" are waging
this campaign against us.

We're living on
very poor wages

but the workers must have
faith in this

and be aware.

What do you say?

I'm a student

and I think they're trying
to paralyze the country

by any means they can.

In case of a possible total
transport stoppage

the left-wing carriers
join together

and create the Patriotic
Recovery Movement.

Because of their support
of President Allende

they are attacked
for being blacklegs.

I will respond to the loyalty
of the people

with the loyalty
of a militant socialist

and as president
of Chile

I will resolutely
carry through

the program
of Popular Unity.

We need better
and greater control

in the distribution
of produce.

Listen carefully.

This is for those
who believe

that I hesitate at times.

We must strengthen

popular power

centers for mothers,
neighborhood groups

the Councils for
Provisions and Prices

the community
commandos.

They must be strengthened!

The industrial belts
must be strengthened

not as parallel forces
to the government

but as popular forces

united with the forces
of your government

the popular government.

On May 28, retired officers
of the high command

send a public letter
to President Allende

stating that
the armed forces

will consider themselves
autonomous

should the government
violate the constitution.

Shortly before, the high
command had spoken out

against the proposed
educational reforms.

On that occasion, Rear Admiral
IsmaeI Huerta declared

"We cannot accept
that future soldiers

arrive at the barracks
converted into Marxists. "

Since 1950, more than
4,000 officers

have been on training
courses in the U.S

and in the
Panama Canal area.

Over the two and a half years
of Allende's government

the Pentagon
has given them

45 million dollars
in military aid.

That is, more than a third

of all the aid received
in the last 20 years.

COPPER STRIKE

For the first time

the opposition wins over
a sector of the proletariat.

In the "El Teniente" mine

a group of workers go on
strike for economic reasons.

Traditionally well paid

the copper miners are the
aristocracy of Chile's workers.

For the opposition

the aim of the conflict
is to paralyze the mine.

20% of Chile's earnings
are produced here.

Fellow workers, as well as
Channel 13 television

we have French Television
with us.

Comrades, hold up
your employment cards.

Let's show them that
we're all workers here.

"El Teniente", united,
will never be defeated!

First, let's solve
the problems

of the "El Teniente"
workers

and then,
if there's money left

we can solve the other
problems in the country.

But the people we represent
come first

then the rest
of the country.

That's all, thank you.

We want a solution!

We requested permission
from the union leaders

to use this stage.

As workers for
Popular Unity

we disagree

with the methods
you're using.

We have said at all times

that above
all other things

the most important
is workers' unity.

We defend it here

and within the party
alliance of Popular Unity.

You will be wondering
why we're here.

We support a return
to work

but not in factions.

Comrades

We support a return to work

Comrades

Comrades

We can't accept

that you continue to use
the policy of division.

No politics here!

No politics here!

Strike!

Strike!

That same day,
and at the same time

more than half
of the 8,000 miners

continue working.

Most of them work overtime

to ensure that the basic
work in the mine is done.

Caletones has a staff
of almost 2,000 workers

between office staff
and laborers.

And today, we've got
750 workers working.

So the industrial part
is almost normal.

And that means that tomorrow,
or Monday

there will be
total normality.

What should be
pointed out here

is that there is a sector
which is fighting against a wall.

Their thesis is completely
out of all jurisdiction.

Even history shows
that the workers here

fought tirelessly
against the Yankee

until we took the industry
from him, nationalized it

and now it's Chile's.

It belongs to the Chileans,
not to any individual.

But it's our responsibility
to run it.

The workers are assuming
an almost total awareness.

It is only those in opposition
who insist on believing

that there are
left-wing bosses here.

No, there aren't.

The Christian Democracy

has got trade union
representation here

and a representative
on the Board of Directors.

So we're asking the left-wing media,
especially Channel 7

who have given very little
importance

to those still working

to come and see
for themselves

so that they'll stop Iying.

You've started very well,
for a simple reason.

You've all come here to film,
and that's important.

But the press, Channel 13,
"El Mercurio"

all those papers, are
just looking at Rancagua city.

They think that's "El Teniente",
and that's bad.

Those of us who are working
at present

need this situation
to be sorted out

not for the personal
benefit of the workers

but for the benefit
of all Chileans.

You can take any worker here
and ask him.

Ask any of them.

Do you think you're dividing
the "El Teniente" workers?

No, none of us want
to divide them.

It's the enemy
who's dividing us.

- The enemy?
- The right.

They want us to fight
among ourselves.

The other day,
the strike leader said

that if blood had to flow,
blood would flow.

They want confrontation.

We have never, at any moment,
wanted to divide the workers.

The fact of the matter is,
I'm 43 now

and I've spent a long time,
27 years, in the mines.

I've seen all the governments
we had before

and they all acted
very harshly

with the working classes.

As that comrade said, I think
this government has been soft.

It's soft because
it's a workers' government.

But if we'd had a government
of another tendency

at this moment a few of us
would be dead

and there wouldn't be many
left-wing comrades here.

They'd all be right-wing.

We received threats,
they blocked the roads

we couldn't get down
the other day

but we turned up for work.

We came down on foot,
went cross-country

but at least we managed
to keep working.

There were even comrades
who worked three shifts

because you have to keep
the mine going.

We had agreed to keep on
working

because there are
certain machines

which can't be
allowed to stop.

This job's got
a lot of responsibility.

We've got a lot of comrades

who still don't know
why they're stopped.

They don't know.
That's a fact.

They're fighting
with the police

because some guy
sets himself up as leader

and he puts on
a show for them

and they follow him
like he was Christ.

I think we have to make our
fellow workers more aware

and that's what our leaders
have to start doing now.

That's the reason
behind everything.

How can you prepare people?

Well, just by doing
what we're doing now

acting as we are
in this stoppage.

I think I'm behaving well.
I'm responsible for what I do.

I'm independent, I don't have
any political party.

My interest is in working
for the progress of Chile

not for my pocket.

I'm aware that if I have
a good wage

then it's only fair
that other workers

should have
a good wage too.

Today, over 400 workers
have turned up.

On the 3:00-11:00 shift,
we had over 300.

It's getting back to normal.

The number of workers
turning up at their job

goes up to 61 % on May 7.

The mine's trains are working
day and night.

Strike!

Strike!

The strikers, encouraged
by the opposition

reject two settlement
proposals

and demand a doubling
of salary readjustments.

Why are you striking?

We're demanding the 41 %
that the company owes us.

How many days has it been?

It's been 21 days now.

What's going to happen?

It'll have to be settled
today or tomorrow.

Is this to do with unions
or with politics?

It's never had anything to do
with politics.

There's never been
a politician

or a minister or a deputy
involved in this.

We're just workers
defending our rights.

And I think we have to win

because we elected
our President

so that he'd defend
workers' rights

not so that he'd come
and criticize us

when we ask for something.

- You support the President?
- Yes, I do.

The strike is damaging
the government.

Of course
it's damaging it

but I think that in all
these 21 days of striking

they should at least
have settled the strike.

Into the square!

The strike leaders
need to have victims

so they can accuse the
government of repression.

For that reason,
the police get orders

to act with
the greatest caution.

As the police retreat
despite the stone throwing

there is confusion.

While some want to continue
the fight

others think it better

to seize the mining
company's offices.

Let's seize the company!

I spoke to the governor
because I don't want any death.

- Who represents the workers?
- We do!

The leaders are over there!

And I also

I also requested

I also requested, comrades

that with the same
responsibility

as that of the
"El Teniente" workers

we are asking
the police forces here

that they should maintain
the same composure.

I asked them
that they should maintain

the same composure,
comrades.

And now

I want

I want to say here
this morning

that in the meeting

which we had with the
President of the Republic

on the 19th

I spoke to them

as an older brother or
a comrade would have done

and I told them clearly
how serious it was

to stop the production
of copper now

when we need
more earnings

when we don't have
the financing we need

when we may not
be able to fulfill

some essential
commitments.

At this moment

especially when
the price of copper

has reached
a satisfactory level

at this precise moment,
"El Teniente" is paralyzed

just when it had achieved
an extraordinary output.

I spoke to them like
a comrade

with tenderness, with
respect, with affection.

Nevertheless

economic criteria
were stronger

and so "El Teniente"
is at a standstill

and that means the loss
of millions of dollars

for the country.

There could have been
a solution

that certainly
would have cost less

than a day's production.

But that would have set
a fatal precedent.

A readjustment on top of
a readjustment.

Today, I ask them from here
to understand

that being a copper worker
in this country

is a privilege

from a patriotic and
revolutionary point of view.

They are the workers
who must preserve

the essence
of our country.

We depend on copper

to be able to buy spare
parts, raw materials

inputs, foodstuffs
and medicines.

I ask them from here,
as revolutionary comrades

to reconsider
their attitude.

We will propose solutions
which will mean more income

on the basis of producing
more copper

and greater productivity.

I uphold our revolutionary
awareness

and I tell them that I have
faith in the Chilean worker

who cannot forget
imperialist aggression

and internal conspiracy!

The copper worker
and the agricultural worker

have to unite to defend
the future of Chile

threatened from without
and hounded from within!

In the "Chuquicamata"
mine

on May 16,
the workers reject

a stoppage in solidarity
with "El Teniente".

The same happens in
the "El Salvador" mine.

The opposition fail
in their attempt

to spread the strike
to other copper mines.

On June 6, the strikers send
a commission to Santiago.

Congress, which
had justified

oppression of workers
in other times

opens its gardens to give
the miners money and supplies.

Parliament issues a statement,
which has no legal basis

saying the miners are right.

And meanwhile, donations
continue to arrive.

For the wealthy sector

helping the striking miners
has become an obligation.

I am firmly convinced

that this conflict

will have international
repercussions

because here

what is at stake

is the firmness
of the workers

in defending
their conquests.

And on the other side

is the position of
the Supreme Government

which, until this moment,
had turned a deaf ear

to solving this problem.

And the only culprits

of the prolongation
of these 37 days of strike

have got names.

It is a product
of the incapacity

of the ministers responsible
for mining and labor

and of the copper
bureaucrats.

For the first time

a labor leader is received
in the Catholic University.

When 75% of the miners
at "El Teniente"

and 10% of the clerical
staff are back at work

the leader Guillermo Medina
comes to receive the support..

of the children
of the well-to-do.

Workers and students,
forward together!

Down with
incompetent government!

The Catholic University
students

become the main agitators
of the stoppage.

While the strike eases
in "El Teniente"

the opposition politicize
the conflict.

In Santiago, the organization
"Feminine Power"

starts to gather funds
for the miners' wives.

A large section
of the middle class

consciously
or unconsciously

starts to join
the ranks of fascism.

- Nationalists!
- Present!

- Nationalists!
- Forward!

- National Front!
- Homeland and Freedom!

- Chile!
- One!

- Chile!
- Great!

- Chile!
- Free!

Forward Chile!

At the same time, in the
mining city of Rancagua

shopkeepers, professionals
and carriers

call a stoppage in
solidarity with the strikers.

On June 10,
the opposition

occupy the city's radio
station by force.

As Rancagua is too small

to cause any stir in the
now lessening conflict

they decide to move
to the capital.

On June 15, 3,000 strikers
arrive at the head office

of the Christian Democrat
Party in Santiago.

They make up approximately
25% of the mine employees.

Christian Democrat Youth!

The opposition calls out
its troublemakers.

The government responds
with a police presence

and the mobilization
of its militants.

Workers collaborate with
the police to impose order.

The agitators provoke
the police.

The left-wing workers
dismantle the barricades.

Come on, we have to clean up
the streets, comrades!

How long are those "mummies"
going to fuck us up?

At midday, the Popular Unity
supporters

gather in front of
the La Moneda palace.

We support the popular
government!

The street battle will go on
until night.

VIOLENT CITY

Allende, Allende,
the people will defend you!

I'm here because I've got
class consciousness.

I'm here with
my class comrades

defending the workers'
government

to the death,
if necessary.

Let's create popular power!

I've been here
since 10:00 a. m

firstly because
of my convictions.

I'm the father of 12 children.

I know this government's fight
isn't for me.

I don't have many days of
struggle and sacrifice left.

It's for my children.

What we're defending
is constitutional power.

We're against fascism.

We support
the popular government.

We think that what's going on
now is a just struggle.

We're here to defend
the position of all workers.

We don't want that, because
of a privileged group

like the "El Teniente"
miners

this government
should have problems.

We'll defend this
government's position

to the last consequences.

Comrade, why are you here?

I'm Chilean, and I have to
defend Allende's government.

It's the people's government.

We can't put up
with fascism anymore.

It has to be stopped now,
for once and for all.

It's what the people want.

Wherever you go,
people want the same.

We've had enough
of those idlers

getting paid for nothing
in Congress!

That's the opinion
of all the workers

of all the people
in the villages.

And we have to be tough
on speculators!

They have to approve
the law on economic crimes

so we can jail the thieves
and hoarders!

Do you want to say
anything else?

I've said enough.

- Popular Unity!
- We shall overcome!

The next day, the last
strikers are loitering

outside the Christian
Democrat offices.

Many are returning
to Rancagua tonight.

A symbolic group

goes to
the Catholic University.

In "El Teniente", 93% of the
staff have gone back to work.

On June 21,
the Trades Union Council

organizes a demonstration
of force against fascism.

Let's create popular power!

"PU", and no compromise!

Popular Unity against
the criminal "mummies"!

Let's create
a popular militia!

Forward with "PU"!

Power to the workers!

If you don't jump,
you're a "mummy"!

Via the "Voice of the
Homeland" transmitters

we have the first worker
of the nation

the President
of the Republic

comrade Salvador Allende.

While half a million
demonstrators

gather in the center
of Santiago

nearby, watched
by the police

the last strikers watch
the event

from the roof of
the Catholic University.

I maintain

that never

in our history

was there an event

of the magnitude
and content of this one.

One has had to innovate
in all methods

to be able

to have even
approximately

a dimension

of the extraordinary

spirited and enormous
multitude

which is filling
the streets

Moneda, Agustinas

Amunategui, Ahumada,
Morandé

Huérfanos, Teatinos

most of the Alameda

and the column which
set out from Tajamar

has still not been
able to arrive

likewise the column
from Vicua Mackenna.

Never in the history
of Chile

were the people more
combative and more present!

We can feel history here!

We are reinforcing

our right to build

a future of justice
and freedom

to make our way
towards socialism!

A week later,
the copper strike is over.

On June 28

the 500 miners occupying
the Catholic University

withdraw in small groups.

In all, the conflict has
lasted 76 days

and has cost the state
millions of dollars.

With this strike over

Allende's adversaries have
tried almost everything

to topple his government.

They have one last resort.

The next day, June 29,
at 9:00 a. m

the Number Two armored regiment
attacks the La Moneda palace

with 6 tanks and several
transport vehicles.

At 9:30, Parliament,
the Judicial Power

and the opposition parties
are silent.

The rest of the armed forces
do not back up the action.

A little later,
Leonardo Henricksen

an Argentinean cameraman,
films his last shot.

He doesn't just record
his own death.

He also records, two months
before the final coup

the true face of a sector
of the Chilean army.

Watch out!

Watch out! Over there!

END OF PART ONE