Venezuela – A great confrontation is under way in Venezuela. On one side stands Venezuela’s elite – backed by the Bush administration and the big oil companies. On the other side of the barricades stand Venezuela’s oppressed and patriotic, people who are rallying around their progressive president, Hugo Chávez.

Chicago, IL – Chanting, “CIA! NED! Hands off Venezuela!” more than 100 trade unionists and other progressive activists braved one of the hottest days in Chicago’s history to rally here, July 24. They demanded that the AFL-CIO break its ties with the U.S. government’s National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The National Endowment for Democracy has worked to overthrow the progressive government of Venezuela, headed by Hugo Chavez, and has bankrolled right-wing organizations all over the world.

Chicago, IL – The Latin American Solidarity Coalition and the Chicago-based Organizing Group to Say No to the NED have called a demonstration at Navy Pier to support efforts within the AFL-CIO convention to pass the “Build Unity and Trust With Workers Worldwide” resolution. The protest will take place at 4 p.m., Sunday, July 24.

In addition to the internal debates over the future of labor, there are two struggles over foreign policies that will happen at the July convention of the AFL-CIO. One is a campaign underway to get the AFL-CIO to break its ties with the National Endowment for Democracy. A second is to end AFL-CIO support for the state of Israel’s occupation and oppression of Palestine.