A spontaneous demonstration in solidarity with the people of Venezuela took place in Edinburgh, Sunday, 15th of august, co-inciding with the simultaneous referendum against Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela, and initiator of massive social reforms benefiting the poor. The Edinburgh Fringe festival also co-incided with the demonstration, lending a high profile of publicity to the cause of the demonstration, particular when the demonstration with comedian Mark Thomas accidently met the Edinburgh Samba School, the party rocked.
start of demo at Bristo Place, in the background festival venue
demo through stalls at edinburgh festival fun fair, meadows
Edinburgh samba school acc idently join
and borrow us their publicity
with a little help from the samba school
demo &Edinburgh Samba School : bringing fun and purpose together
"If I can't dance it is not my revolution" - E. Goldman
Here is the text of the leaflet.
August 15th International Day of Solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution of Venezuela – The Beginning of a Global Info- campaign
In Venezuela on August 15th there is a national referendum to reconfirm Hugo Chavez as the democratically elected president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
President Chavez was first elected by the overwhelming majority of Venezuelans in 1998. Since then, there has been a series of democratic reforms approved by the people through seven electoral processes. The reforms include a new, progressive constitution based on the participatory democracy, real access to education, eliminating illiteracy, laws benefiting small farmers and fisher people, and massive health care, housing and food distribution programs. These changes, initiated by the people and supported by the Chavez administration, have alleviated poverty, empowered the population and adressed the inequalities created by the neo-liberal IMF/Worldbank policies.
However, these popular initiatives are being intensively attacked by the wealthy Venezuelan ruling class, corporate media, and US/European corporate interests. These attacks led to a media-staged, fscist coup d'etat in April 2002 that overthrew and jailed Chavez, imposing an un-elected businessman as president in his place. For the next 48 hours there was a massive popular uprising during which many people died from brutal police force. Ultimately, the presidential palace was re-taken by the people and loyal military troops, allowing Chavez back into democratic office. In spite of this popular victory, the counter-revolutionary attacks continued with a business-led oil strike and violent provocations (embassy bombings and street shootings) used to scandalize the reputation of Chavez.
Until now, the people continue to organize and succeeded in defending the revolution.
On August 15th thereferndum vote will be used by the opposition as another attempt to oust Chavez. In spite of ferocious campaigns by the private media, the majority of the Venezuelan people want to keep Chavez as their president. Even if the electoral council confirms Chavez victory, the attacks against participatory democracy will not cease but in fact be stepped up. But this struggle is not only about Chavez. As in many other parts of the world, the Bolivarian Venezuelan movement is about defending the right of self-determination, autonomy, participatory democracy, and the dignity of everyone. It is about affirming the people's will to find an alternative to dominant neo-liberal policies and challenge global corporate power. For us, it is a duty to express solidarity with the Bolivarian struggle of Venezuela.
We support the call for a Clobal Day of Action on October 12th, 2004
Comments
Hide the following 4 comments
congratulations from the rampARTs bolivarians!
15.08.2004 19:19
we're here in the rampARTs, will upload our pix from the embassy as soon as... keep it up!
pescao
greetings from the ...
15.08.2004 21:10
alps to da samba.
keep on dancing till the day of action,
no passaran
niqs of revo
great job
15.08.2004 22:26
-r
Check the Facts!
16.12.2005 08:26
In 1998, Hugo Chavez was NOT elected by the “overwhelming majority”. He was elected by the majority of those who voted, which was about 30% of the population. Yes, it is true, Venezuelans are at fault for not voting, but he only won by the majority of those who voted.
During the coup, Hugo Chavez was ousted. But he is not a victim in this situation as he himself was responsible for one of the bloodiest coups in Venezuelan history, at the end of which he called off his troops because so many had died. He was then jailed, and until today, it baffles me how this man was even allowed to run for president. During the coup against Chavez, many did die, by the hands of his men.
During the national strike, everything shut down. I believe that when even the petroleum industry shuts down all operations, that is a very strong statement against a government. I was there, I saw and lived it and know what it meant. The whole country was at a stand-still. You could not get gasoline anywhere and the lines for fuel were endless. Chavez took over the industry, fired the former employees who protested against him, and placed unqualified employees to get things going again. This was the only way he could save face in light of the humiliation he was facing.
He has taken advantage of Venezuela’s position as a leader in crude oil and constantly takes the country’s money to make himself look good in the international public eye. This year alone, due to an extremely poor infrastructure, the country’s highways began to crumble. One could not get from the western part of the country to Caracas, because the highway, simply crumbled away.
Some people have benefited from Chavez’ reign, but only those who swear undying support to him and his regime. There are many poor in Venezuela who are only getting poorer while inflation rises. The country has prohibited the use of foreign currency. You are allowed only to use a limited amount the government must approve. There have been talks of Chavez’ regime having full control of school age children. They will not be allowed to leave the country without government approval. Violence has increased and a new hate has been defined by this man. He has taught his followers that “Imperialists” are the enemy. While every day his pockets are stuffed by the money from the same people he so much criticizes. He has sent the military to take over lands he deemed to be used inappropriately. These are fully operating farms with a lot of infrastructure he felt he should now run. He has taken away peoples ownership rights stating that the “government” owns everything now.
This is a man who holds nothing sacred and has no understanding of the word “respect”. He sent a message to a US official this year explaining that she just needed to get “married”… he offered three candidates from his cabinet, and if they were not suitable he volunteered his services. He called Mexico’s Fox the “Imperialist Dog” and went on to dress up in a Mariachi costume to make fun of the Mexican leader. Some years ago he claimed that “the military are like condoms, you use them once and then throw them out”. I find his language offensive and not to the standards of a world leader.
What is he doing with all of the money the country is making in the petroleum industry? Where are the dollars going? Instead of offering aid to the underprivileged in other countries, including the US which he highly criticizes, he should turn his attention to internal matters and see what he is going to do with his own problems, of which he has many.
You call this a “democracy”??? Believe me, I have lived in democracy, and this definitely is not what I would define as one.
Check you facts and know what you are talking about. I have lived in Venezuela and seen this injustice first-hand… It is easy to pass judgment on a situation where you have limited facts.
Cristina