U.S. protests show solidarity with Venezuela

April 11 was a national day of action in the United States to support the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela and to demand no U.S. intervention in the April 14 presidential election.

Teresa Gutierrez in New York City told WW a letter was delivered that day to the diplomatic mission of the U.S. at the United Nations, with International Action Center founder Ramsey Clark leading a delegation to the U.N.

Addressed to Ambassador Susan Rice, the letter stated in part: “Today is the 11th anniversary of the coup d’état of 2002 that briefly removed the democratically elected president of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez Frías, with the support of the United States government. Millions of Venezuelans poured into the streets to reinstate their rightful president. The same forces that deposed [Chávez] 11 years ago are at this moment destabilizing the Venezuelan political atmosphere, discrediting the electoral process and threatening to not recognize the electoral results.

“At this moment, the [U.S.] government will continue to funnel millions to these anti-democratic forces, while making vitriolic statements that undermine the democratic process in Venezuela. Furthermore, the private media in Venezuela and abroad is doing its best to sow dissent among the Venezuelan people.”

In Buffalo, N.Y., Ellie Dorritie reports that activists from the IAC brought solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution to the downtown federal court building in the middle of rush hour on April 11. Their demand for no U.S. intervention got many enthusiastic honks of support from drivers.

According to WW reporter Joe Piette, activists in Philadelphia handed out fliers and displayed placards demanding no U.S. interference in the Venezuelan elections. A discussion of the life and legacy of President Chávez, who died from cancer on March 5, was held at the ­Bolivarian Hall in Washington, D.C., and featured Dr. Adina Bastidas, the former vice- ­president of Venezuela.

In Detroit, Workers World Party hosted a March 23 tribute to Chávez and the Bolivarian Revolution, which can be viewed at tinyurl.com/cyv9cjr.