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

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 York, NY – On Saturday, February 28, hundreds gathered in the center of Times Square to protest the bombing campaign being carried out by Israel and endorsed by the United States. One of the supporting organizations was Brooklyn Against War.

Brandon Orr, a member of Brooklyn Against War, said, “We’re here to demand an end to U.S. and Israeli aggression. We demand to end the war and hands off Iran!”

Max Gurman, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, said, “While Israel and the U.S. continue bombing other cities across the country, Iran has already struck back against U.S. military bases and Israel. The U.S. will not get away with starting a regional war.”

The rally participants marched to Columbus Circle, right near Central Park and Trump Tower.

Many organizations have been calling for continued protests and have doubled down on their efforts to fight against endless wars.

Brooklyn Against War will be joining forces on Tuesday, March 3 at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where the calls for solidarity with Cuba and Venezuela are being answered.

#NewYorkNY #NY #AntiWarMovement #Iran #BAW

Brooklyn, NY- On Friday evening, February 27, dozens of Brooklyn community members gathered for a special screening of the 2003 documentary The Revolution Will Not be Televised—a film that captures first hand the failed, U.S.-backed coup attempt in 2002. The event was held in collaboration with the venue, The Boyfriend Co-op, a queer leftist organizing space and cafe.

The film showed the role that anti-worker media played in enabling the failed coup, and the importance of mass mobilizations and community organizing in rescuing Venezuelan sovereignty and defending the Bolivarian Revolution.

Members of Brooklyn Against War discussed the continuity of Venezuela’s democratic governance from Chávez to Maduro and emphasized the importance of standing up and holding the Trump administration accountable for its renewed attacks on the Venezuelan people and their democratically elected government.

Brooklyn Against War member Michela Martinazzi stated, “Whether it’s an attack on Venezuela, Palestine, Cuba, Iran, or any other country, those billions of dollars are being spent to bomb and murder people, and to steal their resources and destabilize their countries. The U.S. has no right to do that, and that money should be spent on programs that working people need.”

Brooklyn Against War will continue mobilizing against the U.S. aggression towards Venezuela, and has announced a march for First Lady Cilia Flores in honor of International Women’s Day, on March 8. Organizers and community members will march to the jail where Cilia is being held and host a speak-out in her honor.

#BrooklynNY #NY #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #BAW

Brooklyn, NY — On February 3, dozens of people gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center to mark the one-month anniversary since the United States attacked Venezuela and kidnapped President Maduro and First Lady Flores.

The rally was called by the Venezuela Solidarity Network, and several important anti-war organization endorsed and attended, such as Workers World Party, Black Alliance for Peace, Palaver Collective and Brooklyn Against War.

Mumia Abu-Jamal, a current political prisoner, called into the protest via phone to give a speech in solidarity for Maduro and Flores, stating, “An empire attacks a poor, weaker state, and demands the lion’s share of its richest raw material – oil. Why is it not a stick up?”

Members of several organizations gave powerful speeches, urging the crowd to fight for Venezuela, President Maduro and First Lady Flores.

The rally ended with a recorded message by Nicolás Maduro Guerra, President Maduro’s son, who urged the people of the United States to keep fighting and that Venezuelans are fighting with them.

#BrooklynNY #NY #AntiWarMovement #International #Venezuela #Maduro #BAW #VSN #WWP #BAP

New York, NY – On the afternoon of January 31, over 50 New Yorkers gathered in Times Square to stand in solidarity with Venezuela. The crowd was fired up and rowdy, despite below freezing temperatures.

The leading chant, “Viva viva Venezuela! Lucha lucha Venezuela!” could be heard throughout the plaza.

The rally was part of a week of action in solidarity with Venezuela called by the United National Antiwar Coalition. The principal demands were to free President Maduro and First Lady Flores, who were kidnapped by the United States government on January 3 of this year.

There were speeches throughout the rally and march. At the first location, Michela Martinazzi from Brooklyn Against War spoke and she said, “We are close to the one-month anniversary of when The Trump administration bombed Caracas and kidnapped President Maduro and First Combatant Cilia Flores. This is a damn shame! The greedy Trump administration went into Venezuela, claiming he was there for democracy, when we know it's for oil!”

The march continued to an Exxon Mobil-owned building in Midtown for another round of speeches. The final stop was at the Simon Bolivar statue at the edge of Central Park.

#NewYorkNY #NY #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #BAW

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

Brooklyn, NY – In the early morning of January 4, over 200 people gathered across the street from the Metropolitan Detention Center, where the kidnapped President Maduro of Venezuela and his wife, Cilia Flores, were being held.

The picket spanned over half a block as bundled-up protesters marched for hours in support of President Maduro and Venezuela. Chants rang through the crowd, such as, “Not another penny, not another dollar! We won’t pay for your death and slaughter!’

Several organizations spoke against the Trump administration’s illegal kidnapping of the Venezuelan president.

Michela Martinazzi of Brooklyn Against War stated, “Maduro is a hero of the people. He has carried forward the legacy of Chavez to fight against U.S. intervention. Trump and his cronies are desperate for oil and resources. The Venezuelan people will not find liberation through the United States, but only suffering. Maduro must be returned safely to Venezuela, and the U.S. must stop meddling in Venezuelans’ affairs!”

On Monday, January 5, President Maduro will appear in court in downtown Manhattan. Maduro supporters will gather demanding his freedom and an end to all aggression against Venezuela.

#BrooklynNY #NY #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #BAW #Feature

New York, NY — On Saturday, January 3, New Yorkers gathered in Times Square for an emergency protest against the United States’ military aggression against Venezuela.

In the early morning of January 3, the U.S. launched a large-scale attack against Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. This attack is the culmination of weeks of escalating aggression from the U.S. military in the area. The Trump administration has also announced that it has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and has stated its intent to subject Maduro to a criminal trial in New York City.

Less than 12 hours after the attacks, the protest in Times Square drew a crowd of close to 1000 people, despite the bitter cold temperatures. Chants of “Hands off Venezuela!” and “Fund people’s needs, not the war machine!” were heard several blocks away.

Speakers at the rally included members of several anti-war and anti-imperialist organizations, including the ANSWER Coalition, the United National Anti-War Coalition, Palestinian Youth Movement, Nodutdol, and December 12th Movement.

The speeches condemned the U.S. attacks on Venezuela, called out the Trump administration’s lies, and pointed out the true motives for the imperialist assault: a greedy grab for Venezuelan natural resources, especially oil. Many speakers also drew parallels between the current imperialist actions in Venezuela and other struggles around the world, such as in Korea, Palestine, Iran and beyond.

After the speeches, the attendees marched a mile northward to Columbus Circle, taking the streets in a powerful demonstration of the people’s might. Cars and trucks along the route sounded their horns in solidarity. A contingent led by Freedom Road Socialist Organization marched in defiance with chants of “No more innocent blood for oil! U.S. off of foreign soil!” and “Viva, viva Venezuela! Lucha, lucha Venezuela!”

“The U.S. government can’t kidnap a president of a sovereign land and expect us to be quiet,” said Michela Martinazzi, a lead organizer with anti-war community group Brooklyn Against War. “Our tax dollars are funding genocide in Palestine and now the destabilization of Venezuela. President Maduro and his wife have been arrested and will be tried in New York City. It’s our duty to show them that we won’t stand for this. We stand with Venezuela!”

The Manhattan rally and march joined dozens of other protests across the U.S., showcasing that New Yorkers, and Americans as a whole, will not stand for another war for empire. The people stand against the lies of U.S. imperialism, and firmly in solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution and the people of Venezuela.

#NewYorkNY #NY #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #BAW #Maduro #Trump