News and Views from the People's Struggle
Minneapolis, MN – On Aug. 20, Jesus Chucho Garcia, the Venezuelan Consul in New Orleans, spoke in Minneapolis at May Day Bookstore about the current situation and the future of Venezuela. The store was packed with activists from the peace movement, the Latin American solidarity movement and Venezuelans living in the U.S.
Houston, TX – Over 20 students and community activists gathered at the Consulate of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, August 1, to celebrate the life and legacy of Hugo Chavez, the former president of Venezuela. The consul gave a presentation on Hugo Chavez, discussing how he transformed Venezuela and drastically improved the lives of the Venezuelan people.
Chicago, IL – The Venezuelan Consulate in Chicago celebrated 205 years of independence from the Spanish empire on July 6. In his remarks, Jesus Rodriguez-Espinoza, the Consul General, noted that in the year 1811, Simon Bolivar led an army that defeated Spain, not only in their country, but in several other countries in South America as well. “That is the only time our troops have been outside our border,” he commented. This was apparently to counter U.S. government claims that the Venezuelan government is a threat. The U.S. spends millions of dollars annually to support right-wing, often violent groups in Venezuela working to overthrow the democratically elected government.
Washington, DC – On May 14 Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared a constitutional state of emergency in that country. CNN reports indicate that there have been marches in support of the government’s push for a “state of constitutional exception and economic emergency” to last until July.
Minneapolis, MN -Students gathered in the middle of the University of Minnesota (UMN) campus in solidarity with Venezuela's Bolivarian Revolution. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) waved the Venezuelan flag and distributed fliers condemning U.S. government-backed efforts to overthrow Venezuela’s President Maduro. In its latest move, the White House imposed newly heightened sanctions against officials of the Venezuelan government.
Minneapolis, MN – People gathered at the May Day Bookstore here in Minneapolis, April 18, for a forum titled “U.S. Meddling Escalates: Venezuela: A New Crisis?”
Tampa, FL – Over a dozen students at the University of South Florida (USF) gathered outside of Russell M. Cooper Hall on campus, March 30, to condemn recent interventions by the U.S. in Venezuela, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine. The students made speeches and chanted, attracting other students to listen.
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following March 21 statement for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)
St. Paul, MN – On March 25, around 30 people braved cold winds to stand on the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridge over the Mississippi River to protest the escalation of hostilities by the U.S. towards Venezuela. Protesters held signs reading, “Let Venezuela live,” “Hands off Venezuela,” and “Defend the Bolivarian Revolution.”
Minneapolis, MN – Around 200 protesters took to the streets here, March 21, to mark the 12th anniversary of the start of the U.S. war on Iraq. The protest called for an end to U.S. military intervention in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere and coincided with national anti-war actions, including an anti-war protest in Washington, DC at the White House on the same day.