News and Views from the People's Struggle
Tucson, AZ – On November 22, The Tucson Anti War Committee (TAWC) and a host of organizations wanted to let the thousands of bicyclists in the annual El Tour de Tucson know that, as they passed the Air Force base, people with a conscience demand “Hands off Venezuela!”
Philadelphia, PA – On Saturday, November 15, over 100 people gathered at City Hall to denounce the U.S. war moves towards Venezuela. Organized by anti-war and community groups, the event was part of a nationwide week of action responding to the recent U.S. military escalation, missile strikes on maritime vessels in the Caribbean and open calls by the Trump administration for regime change.
Minneapolis, MN – On a chilly Nov. 18, a group of over 70 protesters gathered outside Senator Amy Klobuchar's office in downtown Minneapolis to demand that she stand against President Trump’s attacks against Venezuela.
Tucson, AZ – Cities all across the U.S. and world are mobilizing for “Hands Off Venezuela “rallies – an International Call for a Week of Action endorsed by hundreds of organizations is taking place November 15-23.
Seattle, WA – Seattle anti-war activists rallied November 15 at Mount Baker Light Rail station for a short program of speeches before marching to the nearby overpass, where they dropped a banner and chanted to denounce the U.S. sinking of Venezuelan boats. Pedestrians slowed to watch, with some taking photos and others raising fists in solidarity as the group made their demands for an end to U.S. military action in Venezuela.
Chicago, IL – On November 11, hundreds of people gathered at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, demanding an immediate end to the militarization and federal attacks on our communities, divestment from state-funded violence such as genocide and war, and rights for all workers.
Chicago, IL – On Tuesday, November 4, several organizations led by the Chicago Committee Against War & Racism organized a press conference demanding that the United States stay out of Venezuela.
“Viva viva Venezuela,” the crowd chanted, showcasing their support of Venezuela and opposition to a U.S. invasion.
Tucson, AZ – Three progressive Veterans organizations and others joined the Tucson Anti-War Committee outside the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on Veterans Day, November 11, to protest the Trump administration’s war escalations on Venezuela. The group of nearly two dozen protesters received many more supportive honks from passing cars than in previous years – a sign that the tide has shifted as more Americans are fed up with the endless war machine.
Detroit, MI — On Veterans Day, Detroiters came out in the chilly November weather to show that they reject Trump’s war on Venezuela and demand we truly honor our veterans by ending the U.S. military's forever wars.
Tucson, AZ – On Veterans Day, the progressive veterans’ organizations Common Defense, VetsFWD, and Veterans for Peace Local 13 will join with the Tucson Anti War Committee for a rally against Trump’s missile attacks and U.S. threats to go to war with Venezuela.
St. Paul, MN – On October 29, the world came together to support of the United Nations voting on Cuba’s resolution to end 63-year U.S. blockade on Cuba. Participating in the national day of action, the Solidarity Committee on the Americas (SCOTA) and Minnesota Cuba Committee gathered at the Women Against Military Madness’ End War weekly vigil on the Marshall Avenue/Lake Street bridge.
Detroit, MI — On the evening of November 1, Comité de Acción Comunitaria – Detroit, Detroit Anti-War Committee, Engineers Against Apartheid, and several other organizations came together in Southwest Detroit to build an ofrenda (traditional altar) that contained candles, portraits of those who have been lost, as well as the flags of Palestine and Venezuela.
Seattle, WA – On October 12, anti-war and immigrant rights organizers in Seattle gathered with the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) to answer the Anti-War Action Network’s (AWAN) call for protests against the escalation in U.S. aggression against Venezuela. A small crowd assembled in front of the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building to show solidarity with the Venezuela and demand to keep that country free from U.S. intervention.
Minneapolis, MN – On Saturday, October 4, the MN Anti-War Committee held a protest at Mayday Plaza in response to the recent attacks and escalated targeting of Venezuela by the Trump administration.
By Tom Burke and Sara Flounders
New York, NY – The packed Assembly Hall at the prestigious Riverside Church in Manhattan, was draped in Venezuelan colors and flags of resistance on Thursday, September 25.
The exciting solidarity event with Venezuela resounded with drumming and chants throughout the evening. A well-organized security ensured that the meeting went forth without disruption or interference.
On the evening of Tuesday, September 23, a webinar was held by the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN) to educate about the motive behind the recent attacks that Donald Trump has unleashed against Venezuela.
New York City – This Thursday, September 25, lucky people are gathering in Manhattan for a historic evening to recognize the global struggle for peace and liberation.
Two high-profile speakers from Venezuela will present their political views: Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil and Blanca Eekhart, president of the Simon Bolivar Institute for Peace and Solidarity Among Peoples. Both will be attending a meeting at the United Nations that week, as well as the Riverside event.
Orlando, FL – On Friday, September 13, 20 activists held an emergency rally outside the Federal Courthouse in downtown Orlando to denounce the recent U.S. military attacks, and any future aggression, against Venezuela.
The rally was organized by FRSO Orlando and co-sponsored by Orlando DSA, University of Central Florida Students for a Democratic Society, Orlando for Peace, and several other organizations.
Minneapolis, MN – Members of the Solidarity Committee on the Americas (SCOTA) , a committee of Women Against Military Madness along with their supporters, gathered September 10, on the Lake Street/Marshall Avenue bridge, which connects Minneapolis and Saint Paul, protesting Trump’s attacks against Venezuela and the Caribbean.
The Freedom Road Socialist Organization condemns President Trump’s outrageous attacks upon Venezuela and President Maduro. Trump claims he had the U.S. Navy attack a boat and that eleven Venezuelans were killed. Assuming it so, it is another in a long list of violent attacks by the U.S. against the independent country of Venezuela and its leadership.
The loss of innocent Venezuelan lives with no investigation, evidence, or trial is shameful. It is an act of war. The U.S. needs to seek peace and friendship, not war and intervention.
This time Trump mobilized multiple U.S. Navy missile ships, 4000 marines and sailors, and a nuclear-powered submarine. In response, masses of Venezuelans flocked to join the people’s militias in their communities and at their jobs. The militias are a reserve force of citizen soldiers, the eyes and ears of the revolution, trained under the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela (FANB) to defend their homeland.
While Trump’s attacks are dangerous, the past U.S. provocations and repeated coup attempts against both President Chavez and President Maduro have failed again and again. Instead of hurting the Bolivarian Revolution, the U.S. interventions strengthen it.
The Bolivarian Revolution emerged out of the Venezuelan armed forces, under the leadership of high-ranking military officers sickened by corruption and thievery of the nation’s resources. It spread among working people, farmers and the poor. It is a democratic revolution with broad participation. It is based on the idea that Venezuela belongs to the masses of Venezuela, instead of rich elites who serve U.S. oil companies and Wall Street capitalists.
Ever since Comandante Hugo Chavez won the presidency in 1999, the U.S. has harassed, sanctioned and violently attacked Venezuela. Trump is now intensifying these attacks against the former bus driver and union leader President Nicolas Maduro. The whole world sees the lies and slander of Trump and his media kooks. None of it is worth repeating.
President Maduro continues to build and develop an independent and sovereign Venezuela benefiting the people instead of Wall Street capitalists and U.S. oil corporations. The leadership is provided by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), which recently won elections in all but one state. The Bolivarian Revolution has broad support, and people’s participation is reaching an all-time peak due to U.S. threats.
As Venezuela builds a new society, a new economy for the people, with steady economic growth for the past couple of years, we can see what it is that Wall Street fears. As the U.S. empire continues to decline at a rapid pace, Trump fears the example of Venezuela. He can try to bully Maduro and Venezuela’s leadership, but it isn’t working. So now the U.S. is escalating toward missile attacks and threatening an invasion.
The FRSO stands in solidarity with President Maduro, the PSUV and the Bolivarian revolution! No to U.S. attacks and war! Bring the U.S. warships and Marines home now!
#Venezuela #Imperialism #AntiWarMovement #International #Trump #InternationalSolidarity