CHILEAN
HUNGER STRIKES have been mounted by political prisoners in Chile against men congrons On 8 June, 24 political prisoners placed among ordinary criminals in the Santiago Penitentiary began a strike demanding recognition of their special status. Two days later 70 prisoners in the Public Jail also began anner stake we sular domands All were rapidly dispersed to 12 jails in different parts of the country.
The prison authorities are now denying any knowledge of their whereabouts. a clear sign that their lives are in danger. The Chile Solidarity Campaign in Norm London Is caling 10) action to help save them, and asks for letters on the case to be sent to: Director de Prisones, General Heinrichson, Direccion de Gendarmeria, Rozas esquina de Teatinos, Santiago, Meanwhile, you may remember the big splash in the press and on TV about me notra orsallne sups which sailed up the Hudson River on 4 july to mark me us bicentennai. Less noted was the fact that one of the ships invited was the Chilean naval training vessel Emeralda, aboard which scores of prisoners were tortured after the 1973 coup Attempts to organise pickets and a bovcott of the Esmeralda met with considerable - if largely unreported success. As one parucipant commented "It's as if the Germans had brought mobile gas units here for an automobile show in the 1940s.