This is the enemy. Maybe not this guy in particular but what he represents- a 21st Century Chicago Boy
Filed by G1 of Rebel Diaz in Chicago- November 5, 2019.
Yesterday, I got last minute notice of a talk on the Chilean protests at (of all places) the University of Chicago. I didn't know exactly what to expect but what I encountered was far more sinister than I could have imagined. A room full of technocrats- and soon to be 21st century Chicago Boys- dissecting the protests in Chile. I almost got security called on me, the lady next to me complained about my manner of talking 'gesticulating' with my arms lol, and I was called a violent machista for interrupting a white Chilean lawyer who was saying some right wing bullshit but I stuck it out to get a full report on what the enemy is thinking right now. Some takeaways:
- There is a sector of the Chilean ruling class that is willing to raise the minimum wage, reform the pension system, amend the constitution, even get rid of Piñera. They want order and are willing to make concessions because long term street disturbances are a threat to capital interests. Inherent in this argument is the need to preserve the ruling order long term. The three possible future scenarios they explicitly presented were: 1.) Incremental reforms that will appease protestors and eventually diminish the power of the uprisings. 2.) Drawing parallels to Venezuela's 1989 'Caracazos', the potential these protests may lead to a Chavez-style Leftist popular government. 3.) Drawing parallels to Brazil's fascist Bolsonaro, the potential of a populist far-right wing leader rising to power- in this case someone like Chilean demagogue Jose Antonio Kast.
In my analysis, the Chilean ruling class wants option #1, and the US ruling class wants to provoke option #3. Both are extremely fearful of option #2.
We're going going back back! Link up with us in Southern California next week! Sharing the stage with Juanito Ayala (of Santa Feria fame), Santa Ana veterans Salvajes, and more. Come thru!
Sending all of our love and support to the Chicago Teachers, we haven't been able to join you in the streets as we are on tour in Europe, but we had to send yall some energy thru this music!!
Vocals by Rodrigo Starz
Production by G1 of Rebel Diaz and DJ Illanoiz
Video by Tom O Ceallachain of Sensitive Visuals
Photos by Sarah-Ji Rhee of Love & Struggle Photos
Pasamos por Hamburgo Alemania en esta gira por Europa y nos juntamos con el crew de Pangui Lef con Jaas Newen Pangui y Incheta Chilkatufe - justo estaban saliendo los jovenes y el pueblo de #Chile de #Wallmapu a las calles - y con mucho sentimiento hicimos un acto en llevar el show a la calle y en grabar esta cancion con video !! Solidaridad con todos en #Chile #Wallmapu