10 former Chilean soldiers charged in Victor Jara killing

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Jul 23, 4:39 PM EDT

10 former Chilean soldiers charged in Victor Jara killing

By LUIS ANDRES HENAO
Associated Press



SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) -- A judge has charged 10 former soldiers in the killing of internationally renowned Chilean folk singer and political activist Victor Jara, who was tortured and shot to death just days after the country's 1973 coup.

The charges announced late Wednesday by Judge Miguel Vazquez include homicide and kidnapping in the slaying of Jara and former military police head Littre Quiroga Carvajal.

Jara was a popular songwriter, theater director and university professor at the time of the coup on Sept. 11, 1973. He also was a member of the Communist Party, and many believe he could have served as a powerful voice against the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet.

A key leader of the New Chilean Song movement, Jara was familiar to young people worldwide in the late 1960s and early 1970s for songs including "Te Recuerdo Amanda," or "I'll Remember You Amanda," and "Manifiesto."

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_CHILE_VICTOR_JARA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-07-23-16-39-54

[Judi Lynn]

1. 42 Years Later, Officers Charged for Murder of Defiant Chilean Folk Singer

Published on Thursday, July 23, 2015

by Common Dreams

42 Years Later, Officers Charged for Murder of Defiant Chilean Folk Singer

Ten former military officers indicted for torturing and killing Victor Jara, beloved folk singer, playwright, and social activist

by Sarah Lazare, staff writer


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Victor Jara's message of freedom and justice has been carried on by artists around the world, from Pablo Neruda to Pete Seeger. (Photo: Patricio Guzman/AP )
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More than four decades after the Chilean military tortured and killed beloved folk singer, playwright, and social activist Victor Jara during the coup of General Augusto Pinochet, former officers allegedly involved in the murder are finally facing charges.

Judge Miguel Vázquez Plaza on Wednesday announced homicide and kidnapping charges against 10 former military officers, including former lieutenant Pedro Barrientos Nuñez, a resident of Florida who is seeking to avoid extradition to Chile. Four of the people indicted have already turned themselves in, and arrests are expected to follow. Charges were also levied Wednesday for the slaying of Littre Quiroga Carvajal, former military police chief.

Jara's widow, Joan Turner Jara, told reporters that the development offers a "message of hope," but she went further, saying "we’re pushing forward in demanding justice for Victor with the hope that justice will follow for everyone."

Over 40,000 people were tortured, murdered, or held as political prisoners during Pinochet's dictatorship, which lasted for decades and was backed by the United States.

More:
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/07/23/42-years-later-officers-charged-murder-defiant-chilean-folk-singer

[jalan48]

2. They broke his hands and wrists before killing him.

The coup was supported by Nixon, Kissinger and our CIA. Beware if the people of a country want a Socialist leader, the big corporations will say no.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Thank you for thinking of this amazing song. n/t

[deutsey]

7. Arlo Guthrie's tribute

Victor Jara of Chile
Lived like a shooting star
He fought for the people of Chile
With his songs and his guitar
His hands were gentle, his hands were strong

Victor Jara was a peasant
He worked from a few years old
He sat upon his father's plow
And watched the earth unfold
His hands were gentle, his hands were strong

Now when the neighbors had a wedding
Or one of their children died
His mother sang all night for them
With Victor by her side
His hands were gentle, his hands were strong

He grew up to be a fighter
Against the people's wrongs
He listened to their grief and joy
And turned them into songs
His hands were gentle, his hands were strong

He sang about the copper miners
And those who worked the land
He sang about the factory workers
And they knew he was their man
His hands were gentle, his hands were strong

He campaigned for Allende
Working night and day
He sang "Take hold of your brothers hand
You know the future begins today"
His hands were gentle, his hands were strong

Then the generals seized Chile
They arrested Victor then
They caged him in a stadium
With five-thousand frightened men
His hands were gentle, his hands were strong

Victor stood in the stadium
His voice was brave and strong
And he sang for his fellow prisoners
Till the guards cut short his song
His hands were gentle, his hands were strong

They broke the bones in both his hands
They beat his lovely head
They tore him with electric shocks
And after two long days of torture, they shot him dead
His hands were gentle, his hands were strong

Now the generals they rule Chile
And the British have their thanks
For they rule with Hawker Hunters
And they rule with Chieftain tanks
His hands were gentle, his hands were strong



Read more: Arlo Guthrie - Victor Jara Lyrics | MetroLyrics

[mpcamb]

6. Get 'em!

!Viva la Huelga!

[Gumboot]

9. Victor was one of the most beautiful souls...

... ever to walk our Earth. Thank you all for remembering him and his music.

I'm going to have a sing-along to that old U2 song later tonight...

[Starry Messenger]

10. k&r