Virtual Panel Discussion: Chilean Exiles in Canada
Visit Website
About the Event
In the free elections of 1970, Salvador Allende, who led the Unidad Popular (Popular Unity) coalition – a left-wing political alliance comprised of social democrats, socialists, radicals, populists, and communists – came to power. The United States government and its allies viewed Allende’s victory as a threat to Cold War democratic values and American hegemony in Latin America.
In September 1973, General Augusto Pinochet – with the support of the Central Intelligence Agency – staged a coup d’état. The coup displaced left-wing elements in the Chilean government and led to the death of Allende.
In the days following the coup d’état, church groups and humanitarian organizations called on the Canadian government to respond to the plight of Chilean refugees. These groups and their supporters undertook a letter-writing campaign to raise public awareness of the sudden crisis in Chile.
Join us for a virtual panel discussion moderated by University of Toronto Associate Professor, Luis Van Isschot and listen to presentations from:
Patricio Bascuñan – Casa Salvador Allende
Carmen Aguirre – Theatre Artist and Author
Jan Raska and Emily Burton – Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
Liisa North – York University – CERLAC (Chilean Archive)
