"No" Campaign



Chileans in 1988 celebrating the ouster of Pinochet, backed by the No campaign's rainbow logo



Chile's "No" Campaign is the story of how 56% of Chiles population voted to take out Pinochet from the the presidency and having power. During 1985-1989  there was a grassroots non-violent movement to help Chile regain democracy.A group of opposed of Pinochet helped organize along with labor organizations, universities and churches. "Innovative strategic actions that showed the breadth of popular discontent empowered people to join the resistance movement. After nationwide mobilization of voters, poll watchers, and demonstrators, along with an effective use of the media, a popular "No" vote on the plebiscite defeated the Pinochet regime, forcing the general to step down from the presidency, although he remained in control of the military until his arrest in London in 1998. Since then, gradually democratic institutions have grown and institutionalized in Chile as a consequence of nonviolent coalitions mobilizing for change."

Much of Chiles "No" campaign would use the television were they would promote democracy and a connection not just to all those who disappeared, but also the connection of Chilenos in general.
Since there was a "NO" campaign a "YES" campaign was created in the hopes of keeping the General in power.The campaign also included other human rights issues and violations that were important to the people at the time such as; unemployment, violence, the pain of exile, public health, and political freedom. The "No" campaign was a success to those in opposition of Pinochet. In 2010 President Pinera managed to win the election by using the same strategies that the "NO" campaigned used; which is ironic because the Pinera is right wing and most of the people who belonged to the No campaign were left-winged. Pinera even uses a rainbow colored star, which is similar NO campaign emblem.

For More on the No Campain read article below.
 http://www.westmont.edu/institute/conversations/2013_program/documents/Cronovich_000.pdf

Recently, there was a film produced based on the "NO" campaing, but when this film was shown in Chile it got negative attention. It got negative because the film empazies the Pinochet was taken out of power for the many comercials from the "No" campaign, and forgets the efforts of those who helped organize. They state that there are many incorrect facts in the film.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/10/movies/oscar-nominated-no-stirring-debate-in-chile.html?pagewanted=all

 This is one the famous "No" Campaign , it tell the people to vote NO for Pinochet and to end the dictatorship, singing "la alegria ya viene," meaning  the joy is coming.

           The link above is the trailer of "NO" (Oscar Nominated). I have not seen it yet.