NYC, NY – Anti-war activists from the five boroughs came together on April 15, to protest the waste of U.S. taxes on war, sanctions and oppression. The protesters targeted the U.S. Post Office – a historic location that has been the target of Tax Day protests for decades. The April 15 protest was part of a larger National Day of Action called for by the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN).

Brooklyn Against War hosted speakers from Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), Workers World Party (WWP), Black Alliance for Peace, Bronx Anti-War, United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC), and Vox Ummah. The Tax Day protest was also endorsed by the Venezuela Solidarity Network (VSN), PALAVER Collective, Diaspora Pa’lante Collective, CUNY for Palestine, ProLibertad Freedom Campaign, Labor for Palestine, and the U.S. Peace Council.

Speakers harshly criticized the Trump administration’s ongoing war of aggression against Iran, and devastating illegal sanctions against Venezuela, Cuba and other countries. These costly campaigns of death and destruction are funded at historic levels, while infrastructure and human needs in this country are neglected.

Bárbara Larissa, from Brooklyn Against War stated, “In 2025, the average taxpayer paid $4049 for weapons and war, compared to $2492 for Medicaid, which provides healthcare to 68.5 million Americans. The recent costs of the war on Iran $35 billion, the average taxpayer will pay $130 for that war alone- that’s eight times more than the $16 spent on heating and energy assistance, which helps nearly 6 million households, including seniors, people with disabilities, and families with young children.”

Briony Smith, from FRSO, told the crowd, “The truth is that the United States is the world’s most dangerous liability – the Trump administration is a government of billionaires, thieves, and war profiteers, enriching themselves while the rest of the world and the American people pay the price. Shame!”

The crowd held Iranian, Palestinian and Venezuelan flags, and alternated between chants including “Our work, our pay! Not for war, not today!” and “From Venezuela to Iran! No more sanctions, no more bombs!” As gas prices, housing, healthcare and education continue to cost more for the average American, protests against the Trump administration’s wars and oppression continue to gain momentum.

#NewYorkNY #NY #AntiWarMovement #Iran #BAW #AWAN

The Anti War Action Network (AWAN) called for a national day of action on Tax Day, April 15, to protest Trump’s costly war on Iran. President Trump has asked Congress to authorize an additional $200 billion for his war on Iran while at the same time cutting funding to scientific research, environmental protection, and various social programs including housing assistance, Medicaid and SNAP.

From the AWAN post on their Instagram @antiwaractionnetwork, “Organize an action in your community for Tax Day – April 15th – to show that we want our tax dollars spent on human needs like education and healthcare instead of bombing schools and destroying hospitals in Iran!”

Rae Minji, an organizer with Seattle Against War (SAW), said, “Mainstream media constantly lies to Americans the extent to which their tax dollars have been used for purposes that have nothing to do with national security and everything to do with the interests of the billionaires. We have a right to have a say in how our taxes are invested, and in order to make that a reality, we need to expose the actors responsible for the constant flow of our taxes dollars to bombs and genocide.”

Minji continued, “In SAW, we are flyering commuters in Washington Congressional District 9, which is the seat of Representative Adam Smith, one of the politicians who has been saying a lot about stopping Trump’s war on Iran, but hasn’t done anything meaningful. And no wonder: he personally benefits from war. His campaign funding almost entirely comes from AIPAC, Palantir, and other war-profiteering companies, and he operates the U.S. Military and Defense PAC. The hypocrisy is laughable.”

Cities participating include New York City, Chicago, Minneapolis, Tucson, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Washington D.C., Seattle, Dallas/Fort Worth, Tulsa, New Orleans, Jacksonville and Grand Rapids.

#AWAN #AntiWarMovement #TaxDay #Iran #NationalDayofAction #Featured

New York, NY – On March 26, around 100 people gathered at 8 a.m. across the street from the Southern District of New York courthouse in solidarity with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

Government officials and the defense appeared before a judge to determine whether or not the two could use their own lawyers. The defense argued that the kidnapped couple have a right to due process, and that the entire trial is unconstitutional, violating the 6th Amendment.

The action was organized by a coalition of anti-war organizations in New York City that have been organizing around the Maduro and Flores case since January 3.

Michela Martinazzi of Brooklyn Against War led the protest. Martinazzi told the crowd, “We do not want our tax dollars to go to war, plunder and genocide. We do not want our tax dollars to go to illegal kidnappings of foreign government officials. The Venezuelan people have a right to decide their own future and destinies. It is not up to the United States. We demand that all charges are dropped and that President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores are returned safely to Venezuela.”

The crowd in the plaza chanted, “From Venezuela to Iran, no more sanctions, no more bombs!” and “Free the prisoners, free them all! Free Maduro from these walls!”

The opposition and anti-Maduro forces showed up as well. They brought with them an effigy of Maduro and hung it from a tree – a disgusting show of cruelty and racism. Many of the opposition resorted to name-calling and slurs as they attacked the pro-Maduro forces. There were a few instances where the opposition tried to enter the protest and disrupt, but the pro-Maduro forces were organized and prepared. They easily pushed out the counter-protesters.

Tom Burke, the organizational secretary of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, said, “Trump’s trial of President Maduro is a political trial meant to portray the upstanding and righteous leader of Venezuela as something else. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are being punished for standing up to the U.S. empire interfering in their country. The whole world sees Trump and Wall Street attempting to dominate Venezuela’s oil, minerals and economy.”

The protest ended with a march out of the area to end on a high note. While the hearing didn’t determine whether or not Maduro and Flores can use their own funds for their defense, the protesters were resolute in their determination to keep fighting to get the charges dropped.

New York City protesters will be at the Metropolitan Detention Center on April 3 for the three-month anniversary of the kidnapping of President Maduro and First Lady Flores.

#NewYorkNY #NY #International #AntiWarMovement #Vemezuela #Maduro #AWAN #FRSO #BAW #Featured

New Orleans, LA – On Sunday, March 15, the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN) and New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP) held a rally in front of Jackson Square condemning the U.S.’s attacks on Iran. 40 community members and activists rallied at Jackson Square and marched through the New Orleans French Quarter and back to Jackson Square once again.

“When the U.S. and Israel carried out a mass extermination campaign against the Palestinian people, Iran was one of the only countries in the world to stand with the Palestinian resistance,” said Silas Gillett of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Gilbert continued, “FRSO is here today to stand side by side with Iran in fighting back against U.S. imperialism.”

Warren Tustix from NOSHIP ended his speech with a call to the crowd, “We say no to Western imperialism, to big oil selling death around the world, to the U.S. global AI war machine, to war with Iran, and to war anywhere!”

While marching down the historic tourist-packed Bourbon street, the crowd chanted “No boots on the ground, no bombs in the air. U.S. out of everywhere!” and “From the belly of the beast, hands off the Middle East!”

#NewOrleansLA #LA #AntiWarMovement #Iran #AWAN #NOSHIP

Milwaukee, WI – On Tuesday, March 3, around 15 people gathered during peak rush hour at the Locust Street overpass in Milwaukee for a banner drop demanding U.S. hands off Cuba, Venezuela and Iran.

Led by the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee and co-sponsored by Students for a Democratic Society – UWM (SDS – UWM) and the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN), attendees waved a Venezuelan flag and held up signs that demanded “Stop U.S. war on Venezuela,” “No war on Iran” and “Honk 4 peace.” Along the overpass, three banners proudly hung from the chain link fence that read, “Hands off Venezuela,” “U.S. hands off Cuba,” and “Hands off Iran! End U.S. aid to Israel.”

There was a stream of nearly continuous honks from both the highway and those driving over the overpass, making it clear that Milwaukeeans do not support the escalating aggression and acts of war against Iran, Cuba or Venezuela.

Chris Van Valkenberg, member of SDS-UWM, stated: “When we do these banner drops, we can see the importance of being out here and standing against U.S. intervention and escalation. Hearing the almost constant honks from cars and trucks passing on the interstate really highlights that these are working class issues.”

Van Valkenburg continued, “The masses of people don't want their tax dollars spent on bombs. They want that money to benefit the people of Milwaukee. They want that money going into schools and healthcare.”

As the sun was setting, the streets of Milwaukee echoed with chants, including “From Cuba to the Middle East, we demand justice, we demand peace” and “the U.S. lies and then they bomb, first Gaza, then Iran.”

The banner drop was part of the AWAN National Day of Action with nearly 20 coordinated protests across the country in solidarity with the people of Iran, Cuba and Venezuela. March 3 marks the two month anniversary of the illegal kidnapping of Venezuelan President Maduro and First Lady Flores who are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

This National Day of Action occurred just three days after Milwaukee mobilized an emergency action to demand no war with Iran in response to the joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes which have murdered nearly 800 Iranians already.

The people of Milwaukee make it abundantly clear that we must continue the fight for a free Palestine and to demand the U.S. out of everywhere!

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #Iran #SDS #AWAN #MAC

Salt Lake City, UT— On Saturday, January 24, anti-war protesters gathered at Washington Square in downtown Salt Lake City to demand an end to U.S. intervention in Venezuela. Braving the coldest temperatures in the Salt Lake valley so far this winter, the protest called for an end to U.S. wars and instead using resources to meet the needs of the people of Utah.

The demonstration was organized in response to the Anti-War Action Network’s national call to action demanding “Hands Off Venezuela” and “Free President Maduro.” Protesters chanted “From Venezuela to Iran, no more sanctions! No more bombs” to the approving honks of Salt Lake’s busy downtown.

Nova Morra of Utah Anti-War Committee spoke against Trump’s newest intervention in Venezuela and his deployment of ICE agents domestically and stressed the need to organize, “I am afraid, but I am not alone! Together we can stop it – together we can make things right!”

Morra blasted the government’s drive to war on Venezuela while the people of Salt Lake City face high rents, low wages and the crimes by police and ICE.

Despite the biting cold and wind, the demonstrators displayed their banner reading “Hands off Venezuela!” and signs reading “No more blood for oil!” for an hour.

“Venezuelans abroad and the anti-war movement at home will see where Salt Lake City stands, and it is important that we remain organized and intensify our anti-war activism,” said Sebastian Miscenich of UAWC.

“The same imperialists who oppress the people of the United States are attacking Venezuela. The more we oppose the imperialists, and the more we support Venezuela, the better of a position we will be as workers and oppressed people here,” concluded Miscenich.

Organizers urge all those who support people’s needs over war and greed to follow the UAWC on Instagram @utahantiwar to stay in the loop on a February 8 community educational meeting.

#SaltLakeCityUT #UT #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #AWAN #UAWC

“We know the freedom of Palestinians and Arabs is incomplete without the liberation of all people who live with the violence of Western imperialism.” With these words, Nadiyah Salawdeh, co-chair of the Minnesota chapter of U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), explained the necessity of uniting all peoples’ struggles at the January 17 webinar held by USPCN and the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN).

First to speak was Suzanne Adely, president of the National Lawyers Guild and USPCN member. Since 2006, Adely has visited Venezuela many times to monitor elections, advocate for Alex Saab – the now released political prisoner – and lead a fact-finding mission on the effects of U.S. sanctions.

But, for good reason, her efforts are not limited to Venezuela. “I really see the Palestinian liberation struggle, the Bolivarian Revolution, and the Cuban Revolution as three of the most important fronts of anti-imperialism,” said Adely, “as leading and showing us an example of what it means to fight for self-determination, to fight for sovereignty, to fight for equality.”

Next to speak was Jesús Rodríguez-Espinoza, former consul general of the Venezuelan Consulate in Chicago and founder of the Orinoco Tribune. Rodríguez-Espinoza began by recounting the details of the January 3rd attack on Venezuela, which killed 100 people and kidnapped President Nicolás Maduro and First Combatant Cilia Flores.

Like Adely, Rodríguez-Espinoza saw the connection between the attack on Venezuela and the genocide in Gaza. He also saw a connection to the crackdown against dissent within the United States.

Rodríguez-Espinoza echoed the need for a united front of resistance. “Solidarity is extremely important. It is not only an act of friendship; it is an act of self-defense.”

He concluded with a powerful call to expand our actions beyond solidarity protests and letter writing. “Those are necessary things, but we need to find out new ways, more disruptive ways to protest and to fight imperialism.”

Finally, the panel rounded out with Meredith Aby, co-founder of AWAN. She talked About the ICE terror being inflicted by the federal government stating, “Here in Minnesota, it feels like nowhere is safe.”

As Aby said, this is a feeling the world shares. She recounted the attacks and threats made by the U.S. against Gaza, Venezuela, Greenland, Iran, Nigeria and Congo since Trump retook office

“Trump’s increasing international threats and attacks are giving us an opportunity to take all these politicized people that we have been organizing since October 7 and develop them into becoming more consistent anti-imperialists,” Aby urged.

Aby asked listeners to point out the connections between different liberation movements. Activists must show how Palestinians, Venezuelans and Iranians all struggle for self-determination and sovereignty.

Aby continued, “Our job is to organize as many people as possible to oppose the U.S.’ use of its military to attack and threaten the people of the world.”

The webinar concluded with a Q&A that covered how the anti-war movement can continue to organize, broaden, and deepen.

To view a recording of the webinar go to:

#AntiWarMovement #USPCN #Palestine #AWAN #Venezuela

Brooklyn, NY – On January 16, activists with Brooklyn Against the War (BAW) participated in a National Day of Action called by the Anti-War Action Network to demand the release of kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and First Combatant Cilia Flores. Maduro and Flores were kidnapped by U.S. Special Forces on January 3 in an attack that killed 32 Cuban security personnel and dozens of civilians.

“The United States has no right to enter a foreign country and kidnap their leader,” protested Michela Martinazzi of BAW. She continued, “What is this war for? Democracy? Absolutely not. It’s for oil!”

By participating in the National Day of Action, BAW handed out over 250 flyers, spoke to passersby about the cost of U.S. aggression in Latin America and around the world, and spread the news about Maduro and Flores being held at a detention center in Brooklyn.

President Nicholas Maduro and First Combatant Cilia Flores’ next hearing date is scheduled for March 17 in Manhattan.

#BrooklynNY #NY #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #BAW #AWAN #Maduro

Milwaukee, WI – On Wednesday, January 14, nearly a dozen people met at Zao MKE Church to participate in Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC)’s phone zap in solidarity with the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network (JPSN) and to watch the documentary The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.

Throughout the day and at the beginning of the evening event, Milwaukee activists and community members called Florida State Attorney Melissa Nelson to demand that all charges be dropped against the three activists who were targeted and attacked by Jacksonville police for their anti-war organizing. This phone zap was organized one week before one activist’s final pretrial hearing and was part of a national day of action with the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN).

Chris Van Valkenberg, chair of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Students for a Democratic Society (SDS UWM), stated, “As someone who’s experienced political repression, it’s important to publicize the political repression you’re facing through statements, packing the court, and hosting call-in campaigns to drop the charges. These actions have a big impact. We know that protesting is not a crime, and that’s why it’s important to speak out against political repression.”

They went on to provide examples of national call-in campaigns and the recent wins for organizations and community members that were facing severe political repression.

“When three students in SDS UWM were unable to register for classes due to their involvement with Palestine solidarity protests, SDS UWM held a national call-in campaign. Within an hour, all three students were able to enroll in classes. It is because of these national calls to action that we’ve seen the federal charges dropped against immigrant rights organizer Alejandro Orellana in Los Angeles last summer and the ‘Tampa 5’ students a few years ago. Across the country, we know that when we fight, we win!”

After the brief remarks, attendees watched The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, a documentary on the 2002 coup attempt against former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

After the event, attendees felt motivated and ready to stand up and fight back against political repression and to demand no U.S. intervention in Venezuela, in Palestine, in Iran, or anywhere.

The phone zap and movie night were part of MAC’s No War with Venezuela Month of Action, announced in early January during a press conference at Milwaukee City Hall. This month of action comes on the heels of escalating U.S. military aggression against Venezuela, including bombing Caracas which killed 100 people and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

MAC’s month of action will continue with a teach-in on Venezuela on January 17, supporting the annual MLK Day event on January 19, and concluding with a One Year Against Trump March and Rally on January 20.

Details for future events can be found on MAC’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #MAC #JaxPSN #AWAN

Dallas, TX – DFW Anti-War Committee hosted a January 11 watch party for the Anti War Action Network’s report back webinar “No to Trump’s War on Venezuela!” The webinar featured anti-war organizers who recently traveled to Caracas, Venezuela for a peace conference to build international solidarity and stand up to U.S. imperialism. A banner calling for “No war on Venezuela” was also painted during the watch party.

Allison Gunderson of the Minneapolis Anti-War Committee and Women Against Military Madness, who was part of the delegation, said, “Seeing President Maduro speak about building solidarity with Palestine and Cuba, speaking about real, tangible ways to give power back to the people, it has been disgusting coming back to the U.S. and seeing Trump’s rhetoric about war and division. I couldn’t think of a more stark comparison about how Venezuela does not reflect the United States.”

Jim Byrne from Tucson Anti-War Committee said, “It was a real honor to be able to participate in the workers congress.” He mentioned that in attendance to the congress was Alex Saab, the former Venezuelan Minister of Industry and National Production who was held captive by the Trump administration and later freed from pressure from activists across the United States as part of the campaign to “Free Alex Saab!”

Jim Byrne continued by saying, “At the congress, the workers presented a proposal in what they called a ‘constituent assembly’ calling for all trade unionist representatives to be active on the shop floor. They would work in those places and be subject to immediate recall.” He concluded by saying, “Unions are integrated into the national plan for resistance so that every workplace with a union participates in defending against U.S. aggression.”

Jessica Plichta from Grand Rapids Opponents of War, who was recently publicly arrested for standing up against Trump’s violent kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the weeks after the conference, concluded, “If we fight one struggle, we fight them all!”

Josh Rudd with the DFW Anti-War Committee remarked, “This watch party was a great opportunity to learn more about Venezuela and to hear from people who had first-hand experience in the country. DAWC is currently working on a Stop the Bombs Garland campaign against the Repkon bomb factory that makes the U.S. arsenal that the Trump regime is threatening to use on Venezuela and now Mexico, Cuba, and Colombia.”

Rudd continued, “We will be responding to AWAN’s call to action by having a banner drop in Dallas on Saturday, January 17 from 3 to 5 p.m. Check out our Instagram to get involved and help us call for ‘No War On Venezuela.’”

Anti War Action Network will be hosting another webinar on Saturday, January 17 at 6 p.m. Eastern Time featuring Jesús Rodríguez-Espinoza, former Consul General of the Venezuelan Consulate in Chicago, for on-the-ground analysis from Venezuela.

#DallasTX #TX #AntiWarMovement #DAWC #AWAN #Venezuela

Meredith Aby, a member of AWAN and panel host for the event, opened the webinar with a breakdown of the current political situation in the world, describing the continued bombings on Gaza despite the ceasefire agreement, the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Combatant Cilia Flores by the U.S. and the murder of Renee Good and Keith Porter at the hands of ICE.

Aby stated, “As anti-imperialists, we know that these events don't happen in a vacuum. We know that they're all rooted in one cause, U.S. Imperialism. And every life taken, whether it’s in Palestine, whether it's a life defending the Bolivarian Revolution, or whether it's a life taken by the hands of ICE, all these lives are taken to feed the same monster of U.S. imperialism.”

Speaking on the content of day one of the solidarity conference in Venezuela, Jae Franklin from the Anti-War Committee Chicago recounted that unity was one of the primary topics of discussion across the speeches and breakout sessions for over 500 attendees from around 40 different countries. Franklin quoted speaker Blanca Eekhout, president of the Simón Bolívar Institute, saying, “We must unite under a single cause. What's at stake is mankind. This operation in the Caribbean is an attempt to colonize the continent. But fear cannot defeat the conviction of the Venezuelan people. If we remember the lessons of Chávez and Bolívar, we will win.”

Panelists further described their experience on day two, hearing from other notable members and friends of the Venezuelan government such as Minister of Foreign Affairs Yván Gil, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, and President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples Fernando Gonzalez.

Jessica Plichta of Grand Rapids Opponents of War recounted, “Most speakers connected struggles, such as the genocide of Palestinians and how that struggle relates to the Venezuelan people, and the importance of international solidarity and the global liberation struggle.”

A member of Seattle Against War, Rae Lee, described their visit to some of the “Comunas” or communes, a unique and developing structure in Venezuelan public life. Lee explained that “10% of the Venezuelan population is organized into 19,500 communal councils. These are made up of anywhere between 20 to 200 families per, depending on where they're based. They meet at neighborhood assemblies every week to make decisions together. These local units of direct democratic self-government make up 4000 communes which link up to the National Communal Council. What we see in Venezuela is a system of participatory democracy.”

Lee argued that learning about the commune structure can help solidarity activists cut through the propaganda advanced by the U.S. ruling class that Venezuela is an undemocratic dictatorship under President Maduro. “We would be so lucky to have such a participatory government,” Lee suggested.

The final panelist to speak relayed his experience as an international delegate at the Worker’s Congress where representatives from different Venezuelan trade unions, representing over 22,000 workers’ assemblies, were able to present and debate their proposals to Maduro directly.

The webinar concluded with a Q&A portion and a call to action for AWAN affiliates and activist organizations in the Venezuela solidarity movement to keep the pressure up by organizing actions for the release of Maduro and Flores in preparation for their second court date in March 2026.

#AntiWarMovement #AWAN #Venezuela

Milwaukee, WI – On Sunday, January 11, an audience of around 20 people gathered at Zao MKE Church to watch a webinar featuring five anti-war activists who visited Venezuela in the last month, hosted by the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN). 

The webinar watch party, convened by the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC) and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), was part of MAC’s No War with Venezuela Month of Action, called in early January in response to the Trump administration’s escalating aggression against Venezuela, including an intense bombing campaign and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro.

Sara Onitsuka, co-chair of MAC, introduced the webinar and provided context on its relation to anti-war organizing in Milwaukee. 

“It is so important to build the anti-war movement in the U.S. and locally,” Onitsuka said. “The U.S. government repeats the same imperialist playbook, with just a few modifications, over and over across the world. Meanwhile in the U.S., including in Milwaukee, most are struggling just to meet our basic needs. We deserve better here, just as people all over the world deserve to no longer be under the boot of U.S. imperialism.” 

Chris Van Valkenberg, chair of SDS, followed up with the connection to student organizing, stating, “Historically we’ve seen the anti-war movement and the student movement work very closely together, from Vietnam to Palestine. And we’re going to have to work very closely again as we stand in solidarity with and say no war with Venezuela.”

After introductions, attendees settled in to watch the webinar. After opening comments from the emcee, Jae Franklin, an activist with the Chicago Anti-War Committee, talked about the first day of the conference that their delegation attended – the International Peoples’ Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace, hosted by the Simón Bolivar Institute for Peace and Solidarity Among Peoples. In particular, they were struck by a quote from Blanca Eekhout, the president of the Simón Bolivar Institute, who said, “Fear cannot defeat the conviction of the Venezuelan people.”

Jessica Plichta, an organizer with Grand Rapids Opponents of War who recently gained significant media attention for being arrested by Grand Rapids police immediately after finishing a news interview, talked of the importance of international solidarity. Plichta quoted Delcy Rodríguez, current acting president, “No blockade can defeat solidarity. No blockade can defeat the love that other peoples of the world have for Venezuela, and no threat or military aggression can destroy this love for our people.”

Izzy McCabe from Seattle Against War, who presented on the delegation’s visit to the Ministry of Women, reiterated a message of solidarity: “The people of the United States and Venezuela have a common enemy, a common fight, and a common goal.“ 

AWAN webinar presenters talked further about the communes, food sovereignty and labor organizing in Venezuela. They shared their experiences talking not just with assembly participants, but also working-class Venezuelans on the streets of Caracas. They said that what they heard the most in Venezuela was that they all need to be united against Trump.

After the webinar, watch party attendees discussed what they had learned. One attendee noted that it was not only helpful to hear the takeaways from their delegation, but also how much fun they were having. Hearing of their experiences in Caracas helped to disrupt the mainstream view in the U.S. of Venezuela as a violent and dangerous place. 

Watch party attendees also discussed how to tie back to organizing in Milwaukee. There have been similar instances of political repression in Milwaukee, particularly among student organizers. They discussed the importance of fighting repression, not being afraid of it, and using it as a tool to bring people out to support the cause. 

The watch party attendees left the event re-energized and ready to fight back.

Since early January, MAC’s Month of Action has gained broad support in Milwaukee and beyond. As of Sunday, 17 organizations have endorsed MAC’s Month of Action.

MAC’s month of action will continue with a phone zap against the political repression of anti-war activists in Jacksonville as part of a National Day of Action with AWAN on January 14, a teach-in on Venezuela on January 17, supporting the annual MLK Day event on January 19, and concluding with a One Year Against Trump March and Rally on January 20. 

Details for future events can be found on MAC’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #MAC #AWAN #SDS

Brooklyn, NY – At a late afternoon press conference, January 6, anti-war and international solidarity activists blasted the U.S. war on Venezuela and blasted the kidnaping of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. President Maduro and Cilia Flores are currently be held Metropolitan Detention Center.

Sydney Loving of Freedom Road Socialist Organization stated, “This is about the U.S. trying to crush a government that has the courage to put its own people above Washington’s greed.”

Sara Flounders of Worker’s World Party said, “The U.S. will not succeed in Venezuela, just as they failed in Iraq, failed in Afghanistan and failed with sending billions to Israel. Venezuela will hold on to its resources. We will not go back to colonialism.”

Groups organizing the press conference included the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN), International Action Center (IAC), Brooklyn Against War (BAC), International League of People's Struggle (ILPS), Worker’s World Party (WWP), and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO).

#BrooklynNY #NY #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #Maduro #AWAN #IAC #BAC #ILPS #FRSO

Chicago, IL – On Saturday, January 3, around 2000 people gathered downtown in Chicago’s Federal Plaza to join an emergency rally denouncing the U.S. empire’s latest series of military aggression against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

This rally was one of many emergency responses called by the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN) after the United States government conducted bomb strikes across several Venezuelan territories: the capital Caracas, Aragua, La Guaira and Miranda. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the invasion concluded with the kidnapping of the democratically-elected president Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

This latest escalation was preceded by months of the U.S. military targeting and striking boats in the Caribbean waters off the coast of Venezuela, and the illegal seizure of two Venezuelan oil tankers. Organizers from an array of anti-war and anti-imperialists organizations joined forces to condemn the strikes and kidnapping as the violation of Venezuela's sovereignty. Protestors in the Saturday night rally chanted “Hands off Venezuela!”

Hands off Venezuela!

“These actions do not represent the people of the U.S. We want an end to forever wars. We absolutely demand it!” stated Jae Franklin of the Anti-War Committee Chicago. Franklin was one of the anti-war activists on a solidarity delegation to Venezuela recently.

Franklin recollected and reassured who the Venezuelan people are, stating, “The people there are strong, they are determined, and they refuse to back down from their enemies like Trump and his administration!”

The rally had speeches from Anti-War Committee Chicago (AWC), Alma de Izote, United States Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), and 25th ward alderperson Byron Sicho-Lopez. These speakers represented different areas of the people’s movement, drawing the parallels between the struggle for national liberation in Latin America, Palestine, and the liberation of the nationally oppressed in the U.S.

The rally then moved to march from Federal Plaza to Trump Tower. The crowd for the protest stretched across several city blocks. The march paused at the midpoint of a busy city shopping center when Nesreen, an organizer from the USPCN, made an impassioned call to people on the sidewalks to join the march.

The march route ended at the Trump Tower where the crowd gathered on the streets of Michigan Avenue to hear from Joe Isobaker of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) and David Borris of Chicago Area Peace Action.

Chicago was among the 75 cities in the U.S. to rally in solidarity with Venezuela and denounce another U.S. forever-war. The protest’s turnout was one of the largest that the city has seen in recent months, many seeing this show of solidarity as a display of revolutionary optimism at a time where the U.S. erratically grows more desperate to maintain their imperial control of the developing world. Activists and organizers vow to continue their support for the Bolivarian Republic and demand the release of President Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores, who is being held captive at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. will work on a team to enforce an existing “oil quarantine” in Venezuela, and preparations for a military occupation are on the way. Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in as acting president in Maduro’s absence, has vowed to defend the sovereignty of the country.

#ChicagoIL #IL #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #AWAN #USPCN #AWCChicago #PYM

Caracas, Venezuela – Nearly 1000 people from over 70 countries attended a videoconference with the Ministry of Popular Power and Foreign Affairs of Venezuela in the morning of January 5. A continuation of the Assembly of the Peoples of Our America for Peace and Sovereignty that met in Caracas on December 9 and 10, participants expressed their solidarity with Venezuela in the face of the brutal military aggression of the United States and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

The assembly heard first from Blanca Eekout, director of the Instituto Simón Bolívar for Peace and Solidarity Among Peoples (ISB). Eekout said the reasons for the attack on Venezuela and the targeting of President Maduro were to steal the oil that belongs to the people and because Maduro is not a banker or business owner but a worker from the streets of Caracas.

“The resources in the ground belong to the people of Venezuela, not the elites of the foreign corporations. You will not steal one ounce of our oil!” Eekout declared, adding, “We will defeat this imperialism that is in decline and only knows war and genocide!”

After honoring the 80 victims of Trump’s bombing of the capital of Caracas and the states of Aragua, La Guaira, and Miranda, Eekout delivered a message to the international activists: mobilize actions to demand “Free President Maduro and Cilia Flores!”

The call to continue actions in these streets comes as cities all over Venezuela mobilized to defend their democratically-elected President Maduro and their Bolivarian Revolution. Close to 100 cities in the U.S. held actions to demand an end to the U.S. war on Venezuela and the return of President Maduro and his wife.

On the morning of January 5 in New York City, many organizations, including Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) , Anti War Action Network (AWAN), Workers World Party (WWP), United National AntiWar Coalition and many other organizations, gathered outside the court building for the arraignment of President Maduro.

#CaracasVenezuela #Venezuela #International #AntiWarMovement #ISB #FRSO #AWAN #WWP #UNAC

Caracas, Venezuela – Del 9 al 11 de diciembre, miembros de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad (OSCL) participaron en una delegación de solidaridad a Venezuela, junto con miembros de la Red de Acción Anti-Guerra, la Alianza Nacional En Contra De La Represión Racista y Política, el Partido Mundo Obrero y el Centro Harriet Tubman. Estuvieron presentes para asistir a la Asamblea Internacional de los Pueblos por la Soberanía y la Paz, organizada por el Instituto Simón Bolívar para la Paz y la Solidaridad entre los Pueblos.

En el último día de la conferencia, los participantes tuvieron el honor de visitar la Comuna Amilivaca para escuchar al presidente Maduro hablar sobre las victorias del sistema comunal venezolano y la valiente lucha por la paz contra el imperialismo estadounidense.

El presidente Maduro hizo un llamamiento a la “Unidad, unidad, unidad,” para alcanzar la paz. El presidente reconoció específicamente a la OSCL por su solidaridad y unidad con Venezuela.

La OSCL ha apoyado durante mucho tiempo la Revolución Bolivariana en Venezuela y a sus líderes, el expresidente Chávez y el actual presidente Maduro. En el pasado, esta solidaridad se ha manifestado en una campaña exitosa para liberar a Alex Saab, exdiplomático venezolano encarcelado en Miami con cargos falsos.

Más recientemente, la OSCL ha trabajado con aliados de la Red de Acción Anti-Guerra, el Partido Mundo Obrero, la Alianza Negra por la Paz, la Liga Internacional de la Lucha de los Pueblos y otros para realizar una semana de acción para detener la guerra contra Venezuela.

“El presidente Maduro ha enfrentado intensa presión de los imperialistas para que abandone el Proceso Bolivariano, y así como él se mantiene comprometido con el proceso, nosotros seguimos comprometidos a apoyar al presidente, al Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela y al pueblo” dijo la delegada de OSCL, Casey Serrano.

Los miembros de la delegación afirmaron su admiración por Venezuela y prometieron tomar en serio las palabras del presidente y regresar a sus hogares para construir “Unidad, unidad, unidad” por la paz en Venezuela.

#International #Internacional #Venezuela #AntiWarMovement #MovimientoAntiGuerra #OSCL #AWAN #Maduro #NAARPR

Detroit, MI – Despite the chilly weather, over 50 people came to Hart Plaza to protest Trump’s wars and his agenda in commemoration of Human Rights Day, December 13.

As part of the rally, Daanyal Syed of Detroit Anti-War Committee stated, “This administration is bloodthirsty and looking to both plunder Venezuela for its oil and gold and use our tax dollars to stimulate the war economy. We know this because the very same war profiteers who profit off war with Venezuela have already made and continue to make millions off the genocide of Palestinians, the horrifying conditions in Sudan, in the Philippines, and across the world wherever the U.S. intervenes.”

Syed went on to condemn the people in power who the Trump administration’s war mongering and war profiteering, saying, that the mayor to city council are “complicit in the rights violations committed daily and funded with our tax dollars” due to their refusal to pass Detroit Anti-War’s divestment resolution.

Rue Rodriguez, speaking on behalf of the immigrant rights organization Detroit Community Action Committee, told the crowd, “It is the U.S. who forces people to flee their homelands and migrate here in the first place. The oppressive policies of the U.S. on the people of Venezuela have led to mass displacement, forcing people to flee their homelands due to mass destruction, bombings and sanctions.”

It is the United States that creates the conditions for people to leave their homes, and when they come to the U.S., they are terrorized even further.

Rodriguez called upon local politicians to take action against Trump and his agenda, stating the city government “would rather lie down and play nice with people who seek to tear our communities apart.” She ended her speech by calling to make Detroit a sanctuary city, which would enable Detroiters to fight back against Trump’s terroristic use of ICE against our communities.

Jo Pico of Freedom Road Socialist Organization ended the rally with, “The truth is that we are the only ones who will organize to end human rights violations once and for all. Furthermore, I know we can and will tear down the terrible system of imperialism because we have already proven that we are the ones capable of leading the fight against Trump while our politicians time and again are only capable of capitulating to him.”

After finishing the rally, the protesters took the street, marching up Woodward Avenue and around Campus Martius Park. As shoppers looked on, the marchers chanted “Trump wants war, Trump wants oil. Hands off Venezuelan soil!” and hoisted signs with demands like “From Caracas to Jenin, stop the U.S. war machine.”

People chanted loudly and angrily. Detroit made it clear that they continue to fight against Trump and his administration’s gross human rights violations. More than that, the community will continue to fight the city government, to make it protect the city from Trump and his agenda.

Organized in conjunction with the Anti-War Action Network’s Week of Action, the groups behind this action include Detroit Anti-War Committee, Engineers Against Apartheid, CodePink – Detroit, Detroit Community Action Committee, Anakbayan – Metro Detroit, Detroit Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Macomb Defenders Rising, Wayne State Students for a Democratic Society, Palestinian Youth Movement, DROP Trump Coalition, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization.

#DetroitMI #MI #AntiWarMovement #AWAN #DAWC

Caracas, Venezuela – On the evening of December 10, U.S. delegates to the People's Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace in our America joined other internationalists at the Venezuelan Ministry of Popular Power for Women to learn from leaders of the women's movement and come together in celebration of the women's struggle around the world.

Women of the ministry received the international delegation with hugs, dancing and live music. The gathering was jovial but also purposeful, with a conga line in one moment, and a moving speech about the state of the women's struggle in the next.

The speech was given by Yelitze de Jesús Santanella Hernández, the Minister of Popular Power for Women. She explained not only the pillars of their work for women's power and gender equality, but also that women in Venezuela are at the forefront of the democratic process and social development.

“There are at least ten women in every communal council in Venezuela,” stated Hernández.

In an interview with Fight Back! over dinner, the director of the National Directorate of the National Union of Women (Unamujer), stated, “We know that it is not the people of the U.S. who attack Venezuela, it is their government.” She also stressed that we have a common enemy, saying, “It is the same bourgeoisie targeting Venezuela that exploits your labor, steals our resources, and who are destroying our common environment.”

#International #Venezuela #AntiWarMovement #AWAN #WomensMovement

Caracas, Venezuela – From December 9 to 11, members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) participated in a solidarity delegation to Venezuela, along with members of the Anti-War Action Network, National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Workers World Party and the Harriet Tubman Center. They were there to attend the International Peoples' Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace hosted by the Simón Bolivar Institute for Peace and Solidarity Among Peoples.

On the final day of the conference, participants had the honor to visit Amilivaca Commune to hear President Maduro speak on the wins of the Venezuelan commune system and the valiant fight for peace against U.S. imperialism.

President Maduro called for “Unity, unity, unity” to achieve peace. The president specifically recognized the FRSO for its solidarity and unity with Venezuela.

The FRSO has long supported the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela and its leaders, former President Chavez and current President Maduro. In the past, this solidarity has manifested in a successful campaign to free Alex Saab, a former Venezuelan diplomat imprisoned in Miami on bogus charges.

More recently, the FRSO has worked with partners in the Anti-War Action Network, Workers World Party, Black Alliance for Peace, International League for People's Struggle and others to hold a week of action to stop the war on Venezuela.

“President Maduro has faced intense pressure from the imperialists to give up on the Bolivarian Process, and just as he remains committed to the process, we remain committed to supporting the president, the Partido Unido Socialista de Venezuela, and the people,” says FRSO delegate Casey Serrano.

Members of the delegation affirmed their admiration for Venezuela and promised to take the president's words to heart and return home to build “Unity, unity, unity” for peace in Venezuela.

#International #Venezuela #AntiWarMovement #FRSO #AWAN #Maduro #NAARPR #Feature

Caracas, Venezuela – On December 9, thousands of organizers from across the Americas attended the International People’s Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace of our Americas.

One clear strategy rang clear the entire day – we need a united front to win all that can be won.

“We must be convinced that if we are united, we can achieve anything. We are willing to struggle and maintain Venezuela’s sovereignty, no matter what,” said Blanca Eekhout, former vice-president of the National Assembly of Venezuela and president of the Simon Bolivar Institute for Peace and Solidarity among Peoples.

Eekhout continued, “Unity today, unity tomorrow, and unity the day after that”

Attendees were a manifestation of this unity, with over 2000 people traveling to Venezuela, even after Trump declared a no-fly zone. Many organizers were not able to attend at all, due to the continued repression from the U.S.

“We must unite under a single cause,” said Eekhout “U.S. military presence in the Caribbean is specifically to divide us – this operation is an attempt to colonize the continent.”

Eekhout was referencing the missile attacks on fishing boats and transport vessels by President Trump and Secretary of War Hegseth. These war crimes have killed over 80 innocent people. Eekhout reminded listeners that if we take the lessons from Chavez and Bolívar, we will win.

Despite sanctions, missiles and declarations of no-fly zones, the Venezuelan people and their allies made one thing explicitly clear throughout the entire day: fear cannot defeat the conviction of the Venezuelan people.

#International #Venezuela #AntiWarMovement #AWAN #Feature