Venezuelan independence celebrated

The Consulate General of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Boston, led by acting Consul General Omar Sierra, hosted a Celebration of Venezuelan Independence on July 7 at the Community Church of Boston. The evening began with a meal of traditional Venezuelan delicacies and music.

Representatives from several Latin American and Caribbean consulates joined a packed hall of supporters and solidarity activists, including representatives from the U.S.-Venezuela Solidarity Committee Boston; United Steelworkers, Local 8751, Boston School Bus Union; the July 26 Coalition; the Boston Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador; Fanmi Lavalas Boston; Workers World Party; Bishop Filipe Teixeira; as well as activist leaders from Puerto Rico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru and more.

In the keynote address, Sierra gave a detailed update of current events as well as a history of the Bolivarian Revolution. He reported on the well-orchestrated and financed right-wing attempts to overthrow the democratically elected government of President Nicolás Maduro. This criminal campaign of terrorism has included shootings, stabbings and setting government supporters on fire, as well as wholesale economic sabotage targeting food, transportation, etc.

In discussing Venezuelan history, Sierra gave special recognition to the deep bonds of solidarity with Haiti, dating back to Haiti’s 1804 successful slave revolution and the Haitian people’s indispensable concrete solidarity to Venezuelan military and political leader Simón Bolívar. On July 29 at 4 p.m. at Encuentro 5, 9 Hamilton Place, the U.S.-Venezuela Solidarity Committee will present “Affirming Life in Venezuela, Seeds of Solidarity” featuring Omar Sierra and Jorge Marín.

Pictured (l-r) are Local 8751 Recording Secretary Claude “Tou Tou” St. Germain and President Andre François, Omar Sierra, Local 8751 steward Robert Traynham and Vice President Steve Kirschbaum. Local 8751 has sent union solidarity delegations to Venezuela, participated in welcoming President Maduro to Hostos College in New York City and has gone on record denouncing the U.S./CIA role in destabilization, coup attempts and the funding of right-wing violence.

U.S. imperialism: Hands off Venezuela!