Chile Soldarity Campaign

The Chile Solidarity Campaign (CSC) was set up in 1973 in response to the brutal overthrow of the democratic Chilean government by a military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet.

In 1970 Dr. Salvador Allende, as head of the Popular Unit coalition won the Presidential election. Allende's government introduced radical reforms. Chile's natural resources were taken out of the hands of U.S. companies and nationalised, a welfare state was set up and land reform accelerated. Despite a growing share of the vote, and huge demonstrations in its support, the Popular Unity government was destroyed on September 11 1973. Tens of thousands were tortured and killed, many more were imprisoned, and hundreds of thousands fled or were expelled into exile. After the coup, the junta, adopted an extreme monetarist economic strategy which whilst creating rapid economic growth greatly impoverished the working class.

Over 2,500 Chilean exiles settled into Britain. Democracy in Chile was restored in 1990, the Chile Solidarity Campaign ceased shortly afterwards.