Half a century ago, a bridge in Chile was known as a site of terror and death. Under the rule of dictator Augusto Pinochet, it was a favorite location for executions carried out by the military. But today, this same bridge has become a symbol of resistance and hope. This is the story of episode 62 of Stories of Resistance.
The Pinochet regime, which lasted from 1973 to 1990, was marked by widespread human rights abuses and political repression. The military used the Puente de las Américas, or Bridge of the Americas, as a place to carry out their brutal acts. It was a place of fear and despair, where families would gather to mourn their loved ones who never returned.
But as the years passed and Chile moved towards democracy, the bridge remained standing as a reminder of the dark past. It was a painful reminder for many, but for a group of activists, it became a symbol of their fight for justice and human rights.
In 2015, a group of activists came together to form the “Memoria Viva” (Living Memory) collective. Their goal was to preserve the memory of the victims of the Pinochet regime and to demand justice for the atrocities committed. They began organizing regular protests and events at the Puente de las Américas, using it as a platform to raise awareness and demand accountability.
Their efforts caught the attention of the media and the public, and soon the bridge became a focal point for the fight against impunity. The activists would gather at the bridge, holding banners and posters with the names of the victims and demanding justice. They also organized performances and art installations, using the bridge as a canvas to tell the stories of those who had lost their lives.
One of the most powerful forms of resistance at the bridge was the “March of the Empty Chairs.” This event, held every year on September 11th, the anniversary of the military coup that brought Pinochet to power, saw activists place empty chairs on the bridge to represent the missing and murdered victims of the regime. It was a powerful and emotional sight, reminding everyone who passed by of the human cost of dictatorship.
The efforts of the Memoria Viva collective and other activists did not go unnoticed. In 2016, the Chilean government declared the Puente de las Américas a National Monument, recognizing its historical and cultural significance. This was a huge victory for the activists, who saw it as a step towards acknowledging the atrocities of the past and honoring the memory of the victims.
But the fight for justice and remembrance continues. The Puente de las Américas is just one of many sites in Chile where the military carried out executions and human rights abuses. The activists of Memoria Viva are determined to continue their work until all these sites are recognized and preserved as symbols of resistance and remembrance.
The Puente de las Américas is now a place of hope and resilience. It stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of collective action. The activists who gather there are not only honoring the memory of the victims, but also sending a message to future generations that we must never forget the past and always stand up against injustice.
As episode 62 of Stories of Resistance, the story of the Puente de las Américas serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and the possibility for change. The bridge may have a painful history, but it has also become a symbol of hope and a beacon of light for those fighting for justice and human rights in Chile and around the world. Let us never forget the past, but also let us never lose hope for a better future.
