If you know who Salvador Allende is and I mention his last speech, made while the military bombarded the presidential palace, the line about Las anchas alamedas opening again may come to mind. It is arguably the best know part of the historic, deeply heart rendering and heart breaking speech. More than simply telling his nation what is happening and who is responsible, Allende reaffirms his commitment to the oath he swore to keep, the promises he made to his people and the work and progress he did achieve. He goes further, before the coup is even successful he foresees and heralds its end. He proclaims that the grand avenues will open once again. He gives thanks to all those who believed in him, who trusted him with the great responsibility to not only lead the country but keep his promises and undertake the great tasks that he dreamed would improve the lives of the masses.

Allende calls upon the downfall of the individuals involved, invoking their destruction before they are even able to wrest power from the legitimate government.

He does not cower, there is no fear in his voice. He speaks clearly, he never falters or stammers even as the presidential palace is bombarded around him. He looks at his fate without fear, knowing that this will all end with the sacrifice of his life and he implores his people to not sacrifice themselves. He leaves it unsaid in this moment, but it is clear he, in this moment an almost christ-like figure, intends to sacrifice himself for the sake of his people.

Perhaps we can see this as simply a trust in the laws of life and time, after all, no empire and no tyranny can continue forever, Allende certainly knew this.

Salvador Allende would be dead by that afternoon, he knew this as he spoke. It was clearly never a doubt in his mind, so with dignity, courage and a righteousness than can only come from a life spent truly working for the good of the people, stares at death and faces it directly. There is no need for him to hide from it because he knows that what he has done with his human life has been for the good of humanity, from his work as a medical doctor to the leaps and bounds in the improvement of the conditions of the chilean people, he worked for humanity not for its destruction.

Songs:

Allende Presidente - Ángel Parra

Compañero Presidente - Ángel Parra

Allende - Quilapayún

Allende/Por Todo Chile - Viglietti/Benedetti

Encuentro con la vida - Illapu

Las Ultimas Palabras - Ventiscka

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