There is a sense of jubilation in this arpillera which depicts the outcome of the Chilean national plebiscite (referendum) held on October 5, 1988, to determine whether or not dictator Augusto Pinochet would extend his rule for another eight-year term. "La democracia ya viene (democracy is coming)" and "Ganara la gente (the people will win)," was the slogan from the No campaign. Pinochet renounced office after the No vote was carried by 55.99%, putting an end to the 16½ year military dictatorship.
This arpillera, clearly made in the aftermath of the referendum announces that: "The people have won" and "Democracy has arrived."
Instead of seeing police cars as in many arpilleras, one can see the name of the newly elected president Patricio AYLWIN on the black cars. People are cheering and waving their handkerchiefs, expressing their excitement at this new phase in Chilean politics, brought about in no small way through the political participation of grassroots people in the poor neighbourhoods of Santiago and elsewhere in Chile. One can almost hear the deafening noise of car horns loudly proclaiming this new era.
Exercising one's right to vote has always been of paramount importance in Chilean culture, with at least 90% of the electorate voting in elections. Socialism came to power by the way of elections and, as depicted in this arpillera; Pinochet was defeated through the mechanism of elections.
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