Sorry this is late. On Monday after close of Conference I went to the fringe "Defending Progress and Fighting for Justice". The speakers: were Esther Armenteros, Cuban Ambassador; Samuel Moncada, Venezuelan Ambassador; Guisell Morales-Echaverry, Charge d'Affaires, Nicaraguan Embassy; Billy Hayes, CWU and JFC chair; Len McCluskey, Unite and Christine Blower, NUT who chaired.
Christine reminded everyone that the previous day (September 11) was not only the anniversary of the 9/11 atrocities but was also that of the 1973 Chilean coup d'état that overthrew the democratically elected presidency of Salvador Allende. A military junta led by Pinochet. This event "politicialised" many people at the time. In his speech Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey (left) remembered being a young trade union activist who campaigned against the Coup.
Refreshments were provided, including Havana Club rum cocktails and Colombian beers. I couldn't stay since I had to leave to go to the London Labour Housing Group AGM.
0 comments:
Post a Comment