Kez
2nd October 2004, 15:06
Hands off Venezuela
Public meeting at Birmingham University
Venezuela after the recall referendum
Venue: Room CR1
Date: October 5th, starts at 5pm
Venezuela is a Latin American Country which the fifth largest oil exporter in the world. In spite of this source of wealth the Venezuelan people have historically lived in misery while a tiny but extremely rich layer of the population - the oligarchy - was getting all the benefits from these high oil revenues.
In 1998 Hugo Chavez was elected president of the country. His programme included rights for indigenous peoples, free education, free health and reaffirmed the public ownership of the oil industry. This election sparked a mass movement in support of these reforms and the general improvement of the living and working conditions of the Venezuelan people
It was the Venezuelan revolution
Imperialism and the local ruling elite cannot tolerate a government that increases investment in health and education, refuses to privatise publicly owned companies and utilities, opposes free traded of the Americas agreement, reasserts the nationalised character of the oil industry etc. Above all they cannot tolerate the process of mass organisation and politicisation that has taken place in the country. The Venezuelan ruling class has opposed the democratically elected president by the following anti-democratic means:
- They tried a military coup on 12th April 2002, backed by bosses organisation, the old corrupt trade unions and the catholic church
- A bosses lockout of the oil factories to sabotage the economy
- Forcing Chavez into a referendum using fake signatures (including those of the dead and forcing employees to sign for a referendum)
The Venezuelan Labour movement and students have shown on more than one occasion in their commitment to fight against imperialism. However it is necessary to establish solidarity to help them out. Please come to the meeting to find out more about the process in Venezuela.
Contact Hands Off Venezuela at www.handsoffvenezuela.org
Public meeting at Birmingham University
Venezuela after the recall referendum
Venue: Room CR1
Date: October 5th, starts at 5pm
Venezuela is a Latin American Country which the fifth largest oil exporter in the world. In spite of this source of wealth the Venezuelan people have historically lived in misery while a tiny but extremely rich layer of the population - the oligarchy - was getting all the benefits from these high oil revenues.
In 1998 Hugo Chavez was elected president of the country. His programme included rights for indigenous peoples, free education, free health and reaffirmed the public ownership of the oil industry. This election sparked a mass movement in support of these reforms and the general improvement of the living and working conditions of the Venezuelan people
It was the Venezuelan revolution
Imperialism and the local ruling elite cannot tolerate a government that increases investment in health and education, refuses to privatise publicly owned companies and utilities, opposes free traded of the Americas agreement, reasserts the nationalised character of the oil industry etc. Above all they cannot tolerate the process of mass organisation and politicisation that has taken place in the country. The Venezuelan ruling class has opposed the democratically elected president by the following anti-democratic means:
- They tried a military coup on 12th April 2002, backed by bosses organisation, the old corrupt trade unions and the catholic church
- A bosses lockout of the oil factories to sabotage the economy
- Forcing Chavez into a referendum using fake signatures (including those of the dead and forcing employees to sign for a referendum)
The Venezuelan Labour movement and students have shown on more than one occasion in their commitment to fight against imperialism. However it is necessary to establish solidarity to help them out. Please come to the meeting to find out more about the process in Venezuela.
Contact Hands Off Venezuela at www.handsoffvenezuela.org