Tribute to Victor Jara & to the disappeared of the Pinochet coup

This memorial wall in the Parque Por La Paz (Park for Peace), on the grounds of the former Villa Grimaldi torture center in Santiago, lists those disappeared during the Pinochet reign of terror. Anyone who has seen monuments listing victims knows how powerful & personal they are. From a distance they may seem impersonal but viewing them up close is overwhelming.

This beautiful song by Victor Jara, the troubadour of justice & social transformation in Chile, is in tribute to the disappeared & in solidarity with their family members & others demanding justice. On September 16th, 1973, Jara was arrested, tortured, shot with 44 machine-gun bullets, & dumped on a street in Santiago. May he RIP; & may we join with the victims to demand justice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en8yqVxuT-U

(Photo by Ivan Alvarado/Reuters)