Feliz Dignidad

Our action is for the benefit of the families of political prisoners in Chile. For more than a year, the Chilean people have been protesting for reforms to reduce the enormous political, social and ecological inequalities. Among the demands are the deprivatization of water, a solidary pension and health system as well as better access to education. The government has responded to the protests with severe repression: More than 30 demonstrators were killed, hundreds were mutilated and almost 2000 were arrested.

Most prisoners come from low-income households, are very young, some of them minors. They are imprisoned because they have exercised their civil right of freedom of expression. The charges are often based on false statements by police officers; and most prisoners are still awaiting trial. Prison conditions create numerous human rights violations: the prisoners are victims of physical and psychological violence and there is a general lack of basic supplies of food, hygiene articles and medication. They cannot continue their school education or studies; and with reference to the pandemic they have been denied visiting rights for months.

The families are therefore faced with the task of providing their relatives with the most basic necessities and paying lawyers. In addition, they have to deal with an enormous psychological burden. In many families, this is made more difficult by material worries: with the imprisonment, they have lost a source of income; in addition, the pandemic has increased unemployment and social transfer payments in Chile are very low - while the health care and education systems are largely privatized. As a consequence, every arrest means a deep cut for the siblings and children of the political prisoners, with negative consequences for their educational development.

For a donation of 30 Euro or more we will send you a package with a thank you note, if you wish. You have to choose to "buy" the package, we do not send it automatically. It costs 30 Euros. The package contains four articles with typical motives of the social movement in Chile. We will send the parcels at least one week before Christmas, so that you can enjoy them on Christmas Eve. We only ship within Germany. When buying, make sure that you only donate an amount for the platform Startnext if you want to; it is not obligatory.

We are deeply impressed by the way these families support each other. We can be a part of it. Join in. Please share this project with your friends. A central slogan of the social movement in Chile is: "Hasta que la dignidad se haga costumbre.” This means: Until dignity becomes a habit.

Feliz Dignidad!

Our donations go to a non-profit organization in Chile: "Coordinadora 18 de Octubre por la liberación de lxs prisionerxs politicxs" - Coordination of activities in favor of political prisoners "October 18th". October 18th is the beginning of the social protests in Chile in 2019. The "Coordinadora" was founded in October 2019 and bundles nationwide civil society activities in favor of political prisoners and their families. Its supporters gather information about the situation of the prisoners, provide legal advice, and collect material support for the prisoners and their families. They will use our donations primarily for families in regions where families have few resources and whose relatives are exposed to particularly harsh conditions.

More information about the initiative (in Spanish)
https://coordinadora18deoctubre.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Coordinadora18deoctubre

In times of social isolation, general insecurity and individual financial worries, it is not easy to collect donations. But our experience so far has shown us that caring for others has something hopeful about it. To give away one's scarce time and money for people who have had everything taken away from them, but who do not lose their courage and creativity, is a constructive act.

With the movement in Chile, you support a social project that is searching for new answers to social, ecological, economic and political questions that affect us all, also in Germany. The movement in Chile is looking for ways to create community, foster dialogue, combine art and community decisions, interpret gender roles differently, rethink state rule and care, take the environment seriously, and much more. The German society can also learn something from this search and learning process. For here, too, traditional social structures are challenged and we are looking for new ways to shape them. Support our initiative and we will inform you in our blog and on our social media channels about the creative and courageous activities of our partners in Chile.

The final amount of donations will be transferred to Chile at the end of 2020; we will cover the transfer costs. Neither we nor the "Coordinadora" charge administrative costs. Accordingly, 100% of the donations directly support the political prisoners and their families. We will report in our blog and on our Facebook page when the donations have arrived in Chile and how they will be used there.