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Venezuelan opposition shows its right-wing, racist and anti-working class character
Venezuelan opposition shows its right-wing, racist and anti-working class character in the streets of Washington, D.C.
A tale of two demonstrations: Eyewitness report
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In front of the Venezuelan Embassy - Washington, D.C., Feb. 15, 2014
Yesterday (Sat., Feb. 15) at a demonstration in Washington, D.C., the racist, privileged and pampered character of the ultra-right-wing opponents of Venezuela’s revolutionary government revealed itself in a grotesque display.
Vividly unmasking the true class nature of the opposition to Venezuela’s progressive government, the enraged children of Venezuela’s upper classes, who live a coddled existence in Washington, D.C., yelled insults and racist slurs against a multi-racial group of demonstrators who rallied for six hours to condemn the U.S. government and the CIA for trying to carry out another coup against the progressive government led by Nicolas Maduro.
Standing in front of Venezuela’s Embassy in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C., the demonstration was one of many taking place all over the United States in opposition to the CIA’s effort to carry out another sabotage and destabilization in Latin America.
“We, the people of the United States, are mobilizing around the country with a simple message: the government of the United States is trying to use the tactics of economic disruption and sabotage to overthrow the Bolivarian Revolution. The U.S. government speaks in our name but we, the people, oppose this policy,” explained one of the demonstrators over a bullhorn.
The empowered children of Venezuela’s elite went nuts.
“You are Cuban mother****ers” they chanted. Pointing at Black demonstrators, they yelled: “Go back to your homeless shelter.” Stylish, well dressed and chic, Venezuela’s elite arrived for several hours in expensive cars to conduct a counterdemonstration. They brought a team of four impeccably groomed, small, purebred dogs adorned in costumes, and proceeded to pose for pictures with them.
They reflected the typical arrogance of those who have lived with servants throughout life. They spent their entire time pouring out abuse and hatred toward the rally of working-class people who had come out because they oppose the U.S. government using its vast power in an attempt to derail a revolution that is so clearly benefiting Venezuela’s poor.
They called the multi-racial, progressive demonstrators “stupid” and “lazy” and, of course, “communists.” Americans fighting for civil rights or an end to the Vietnam War recognize these echoes from our own homegrown right-wing bigots. But the arrogance of Venezuela’s affluent community in Washington, D.C., seemed boundless.
These empowered rich kids from Venezuela – who go to Georgetown University, which costs over $58,000 a year to attend – screamed out at the demonstration that was attended mostly by working-people in Washington, D.C., “why don’t you get a job” and “who are you” and “go home.”
It was a bad showing for Venezuela’s upper classes. Even though they were in Washington, D.C., they acted like they owned the place. They are an owning class and they cannot conceal their arrogance. They are convinced that they should always own Venezuela’s vast wealth while the majority of the population lives in dire poverty. Why not own the streets of Georgetown too while yelling at working-class people in Washington, D.C., that they should “go home!”
They were dripping with class privilege. These coddled teenagers and twenty-somethings whipped themselves into a frenzy. They gave people the middle finger, and yelled and screamed things such as “Who’s paying you?” and “Come over to our side and we’ll pay you twice the minimum wage.”
They came in shifts so they wouldn’t have to stay out in the cold too long. But it was clear that the progressive demonstration was determined to stay. The temperatures were below freezing. There was a stiff wind, making it feel even colder, and snow for part of the time. The numbers of the right wing dwindled and dwindled. At 4:30 p.m., the last of them retreated and the progressive demonstrators raised their signs and banners, and chanted: “The people united will never be defeated.”
We encourage everyone to join these upcoming events:
Washington, D.C.: Counter the lies of the right wing at the OAS
Wed., Feb. 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Outside the OAS
Washington, D.C.-area organizations are calling a rally on Wednesday, Feb. 19 outside the Organization of American States (OAS) – where the right wing will be having a protest at the same time.
We urge you to join us to defend the Bolivarian Revolution, to denounce the right-wing attacks on the people, and to demand that the United States government stop funding the opposition groups, which are responsible for the violence
Find more info and RSVP on Facebook
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Emergency rally in San Francisco
Monday, Feb. 17, 12:00 noon
24th and Mission
We urge you to join us Mon., Feb. 17, 12 noon, 24th & Mission St., SF, to defend the Bolivarian Revolution, to denounce the right-wing attacks on the people, and to demand that the United States government stop funding the opposition groups, which are responsible for the violence.
For information: 415-821-6545.
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You post an anti-socialist opposition video and conclude that "this government won't last"?
I don't understand why some Leftists buy into this "look people are protesting so they deserve support" kind of analysis.
My apologies if I've misunderstood your post though.
A rally with 3-5 milion people, depending on sources, supporting the government and the popular measures and all the ultra-right and imperialist-sympathetic left care about are some fascist-inflated demos with 500 people.
Fuuuuuuuuucking pathetic
Apenas um rapaz latino americano apoiado por mais de 50 mil manos
I've read mentions here and there that there have been experiments in economic and political (direct) democracy in Venezuela during Chavez, is that true?
pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will
previously known as impossible
I knew from the outset it wasn't to be trusted, which is why I mentioned it, just thought I'd post the footage regardless. Unsurprisingly the use of fake imagery has surfaced:
http://venezuelasolidarity.wordpress...enerate-chaos/
Still though, I think the government is in danger. The US-funded right wing in Venezuela has forced the hand of the state to look every bit the repressive dictatorship they want to portray it as. The fact that students are also protesting is significant, since Latin American student movements have traditionally been pro-left and against neoliberalism.
A phenomenon I'm seeing is people with otherwise radical politics confuse the Bolivarian government with a meaningfully socialist one. Progressive, sure, but there are severe problems with the country that haven't been managed well even before the death of Chavez and it's fallen far short of being truly working class in nature.
Post some info if you can please.
Very expansive article discussing the links of opposition protest leaders with US institutions such the CIA, and the various tactics (including monetary sabotage) used by the Venezuelan bourgeoisies.
http://www.popularresistance.org/is-...-in-venezuela/
La Guaneña
"imperialist-sympathetic left" like yourself? cause you know venezuela is deep into chinese and russian imperialism. so are you an anti-imperialist and therefore against all imperialism or just another western imperialism evil, eastern imperialism good leftie? i know allready, but maybe something to think about.
indeed.
All i want is a Marxist Hunk.
It is true that labor produces for the rich wonderful things – but for the worker it produces privation. It produces palaces – but for the worker, hovels. It produces beauty – but for the worker, deformity. It replaces labor by machines, but it throws one section of the workers back into barbarous types of labor and it turns the other section into a machine. It produces intelligence – but for the worker, stupidity, cretinism.
Wer hat uns verraten? Sozialdemokraten!
And talk about being detached from reality, my friend. Do you really want to compare the Russia/China relationships with latam with the USA's past and present actions here? I mean, I'll agree with you any day that Russia and China are imperialist nations, but please do me the favour to point out how many democratic governments they have knocked down, how many Venezuelan, Bolivian and Ecuatorian companies they have force de-nationalizations and how many elections they have rigged.
You have to be blind or choosing what you see to not understand how important this bolivarian process is for true independence and soverignty.
Apenas um rapaz latino americano apoiado por mais de 50 mil manos
Just look at it with your own eyes, comrades:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTXDe_Bk-co
Apenas um rapaz latino americano apoiado por mais de 50 mil manos
Venezuelan right-wing gangs’ violence potential prelude to coup attempt
http://www.pslweb.org/liberationnews...n%20Newsletter
Venezuelan right-wing gangs’ violence potential prelude to coup attempt
Reactionary forces have full support of US government and imperialist media
By Gloria La Riva
FEBRUARY 17, 2014
Venezuela’s Minister of Communication and Information, Delcy Rodríguez speaks Feb. 16 to denounce the international media’s publication of several images falsely attributed to Venezuela. Here she shows a famous photograph of a protest in Egypt falsely identified as Venezuelan police repression.
A coordinated operation of Venezuelan right-wing forces, the U.S. government and imperialist media is underway against the revolutionary government of President Nicolás Maduro and the masses who back the country’s move toward socialism.
On February 12, people marching in “Youth Day” actions—to celebrate the 200th anniversary of a key independence battle—were attacked by opposition forces and three people were killed by gunfire with dozens injured. The shootings are being investigated.
Violence has continued by right-wing gangs, in what many believe may be a prelude to an attempt to overthrow the Maduro government.
Openly calling for Maduro’s overthrow is Leopoldo López, leader of the right-wing Voluntad Popular (Popular Will) party. He had called for protests on Feb. 12 in the streets to force an “exit” of President Maduro.
An arrest warrant has been issued for López for promoting the violence and he is now in hiding. He has announced an opposition march for Tuesday, Feb. 18 and is seeking renewed confrontation this week. His blatant call for the government’s overthrow now has the blessing of Washington.
In a veiled threat to the Bolivarian government, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry denounced the arrest warrant for Leopoldo López and detention of “anti-government protesters.”
US supports right-wing attempt to overthrow Bolivarian government
An official response by the Venezuelan government rejected Kerry’s statement, saying they are “one more maneuver of the government in Washington to promote and legitimize the attempts to destabilize Venezuela’s democracy by the violent groups in recent days.”
Yesterday, the Bolivarian government expelled three U.S. diplomats for meeting with opposition forces in universities, under the guise of offering them visas. Maduro said, “We have been watching them in the universities holding meetings … let them go conspire in Washington. Leave Venezuela alone in peace.”
In explaining on television the reason for the diplomats’ expulsion, Maduro exposed the U.S. government’s blatant threats, when Venezuela’s ambassador to the United States Roy Chaderton was called to meet with a U.S. State Department official in Washington yesterday.
“Alex Lee, undersecretary for Latin America, gave him a message to the Venezuelan government. He said the United States demands that the people of Venezuela sit down to dialogue with the opposition; second, that we release all those who were arrested for the recent disturbances, and third, he said ‘the arrest of Mr. Leopoldo López could cause many negative consequences with international ramifications’…”
Maduro continued, “I do not accept threats from anyone in the world. There is no force that will detain the Bolivarian Venezuelans in our task of carrying out justice and defeating fascism. And third, in Venezuela we are prepared at any cost to defend our peace, independence and democracy…”
The violent attacks are reminiscent of the right-wing violence leading up to the April 2002 coup that overthrew President Hugo Chávez for 48 hours before the masses and pro-Chávez military forces restored him to the presidency.
The Venezuelan ruling class and its supporters are infuriated at the continuing advances of the revolutionary process, with radical economic and social measures carried out by the democratically elected presidency of Nicolás Maduro. Some of these measures include tight restrictions on the capitalists’ profit-gouging practices.
Venezuelan ruling class angered by radical economic measures
Much of Venezuela’s food and essential items for the population are imported from abroad. Giant food importers, national and foreign—from Néstle to Venezuelan conglomerate Polar—have up to now enjoyed enormous profits because of their monopoly power and practice of hoarding massive quantities of commodities to create chaos and shortages.
Corporations that sell consumer goods from food to appliances and other basic items are known to gouge the public with price mark-ups as high as 5000 percent. Food and basic-item shortages are a source of much discontent and a weapon used by Venezuela’s capitalists to foster opposition to the government.
A radical “Law for the Control of Fair Costs, Prices and Profits” was announced by Maduro on January 23. Among the measures are a 30 percent limit on corporate profits for items sold to the public, and severe penalties on companies that hoard consumer items.
Several days later, on February 4, Maduro declared he will undertake “the most radical measures to protect our people’s economy” and that any company that is not in compliance by February 10 will be expropriated.
The right-wing violence that was unleashed two days later was no coincidence.
With each new revolutionary act restricting the capitalists, the rich are escalating their confrontation and aggression, now openly calling for Maduro’s overthrow.
U.S. imperialism is not standing by the sidelines, and Kerry’s statement is one more proof of its counterrevolutionary intents.
Anti-government media distorting reality
Outright lies and false photographs are being published and broadcast worldwide by U.S. and Venezuelan opposition media, to try to portray revolutionary supporters as responsible for the violence, or to claim that Venezuela’s government is severely repressing the opposition.
Venezuela’s Minister of Communication and Information, Delcy Rodríguez, spoke on Feb. 16 to denounce the international media’s publication of several images falsely attributed to Venezuela. In one example, she showed a well-known photograph of a protest in Egypt published by Spain’s ABC, of SWAT police brutalizing demonstrators.
But that and other photos are identified as Venezuelan police repression. Rodríguez promised judicial action against any media violators.
International defense of Venezuela
Swift actions in support of Venezuela’s sovereignty took place over the weekend by activists, from Washington DC to Argentina and elsewhere. In the United States, the majority of Venezuelans living in the U.S. tend to be from the upper class and are hostile to the Bolivarian revolutionary process.
As the ANSWER Coalition, the FMLN, the PSL and local DC community groups stood with placards to defend Venezuela in front of its embassy in Washington on Saturday, a crowd of right-wing Venezuelans hurled racist and anti-worker insults. In sub-zero weather, the progressive activists stood their ground for six hours until the right-wing protesters left. (See story here.)
Another protest is planned in front of the Organization of American States on Wed., February 19, and in San Francisco, a protest will be held today in the heart of the Latino Mission district.
Urgent messages of solidarity and mobilization continue worldwide. Meanwhile, inside the country, the Venezuelan masses who have seen their lives greatly improved by the revolutionary process begun by the heroic leader Hugo Chávez defend their government and are mobilizing to defend their gains.
On Feb. 15, tens of thousands of Venezuelans marched to demand an end to the violence and to defend their revolution.
The Party for Socialism and Liberation stands with the revolutionary masses of Venezuela and the government of Nicolás Maduro. We demand, “U.S. Imperialism, Hands Off Venezuela!”
Content may be reprinted with credit to LiberationNews.org.
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Venezuela Crisis explained in 90 seconds - BBC NEWS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPdvYW4iwjc
US reacts to diplomat expulsions as Venezuela protests rumble on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukeNbbzzJfc
Opposition headquarters raided by security forces in Venezuela
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvNeLBX9wss
Violent protests sweep Caracas, opposition leader surrenders
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCylPEH2XcE
Lopez calls for protests to continue despite arrest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksYuQyuaWJk
Venezuela Opposition Leader Surrenders to Police
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Tyjrb16-Eg
Venezuela opposition leader detained as street demonstrations continue in Caracas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2hZYh_y6fo
I don't know about how this has been treated in other countries, but I've noticed even up to more reputable US news sources they've made it a point to highlight Lopez's Harvard credentials and his relatively young age (40s), with some going so far as to say he is good looking. They contrast that rather subtly or invite the reader to contrast that with Maduro, who to put it softly isn't exactly a photogenic individual and his background as a bus driver.
I don't really see an easy way out of this for the Chavistas though. Besides the issues with their soc-dem policies, the opposition will continue rallying people around issues stemming from inflation and crime, many of whom aren't the usual archetype of the venezuelan elite. They need to do something to resolve that to take that tactic away from them, though I worry the government will likely capitulate to neo-liberal demands to ease the economic issues and appease the opposition, at least to keep people off the streets and giving them a media circus.
May I ask where you see Maduro capitulating to neo-liberal policies? From the feeling I get from the latest venezolan news, Maduro has been tightening his grip around buisiness, even putting a 30% mas profit rate. That kind of stuff doesn't sound very neoliberal to me.
Otherwise, thanks for the good post.
Apenas um rapaz latino americano apoiado por mais de 50 mil manos
I didn't say that he is currently, what I'm worried about is if the government does capitulate and enact reforms as a way to put the opposition off the streets and with it push away international attention both on a public level and within opposing governments. The only thing as of late that was changed by the government was their intent to reduce the fuel subsidies, but other than that so far it's been a continuation of the prior policies. They've been able to manage the protests without this fear, but this current episode that Lopez and other cohorts have done has caused an issue they really didn't need at this point.
The problem is with enough pressure and bullying, you might push away more ideological goals and instead worry about political survival and accept the remedy for resolving inflation in the way an economist in another country would assign it. That's where a capitulation might occur. I don't really know what's going on through the PSUV though so they may continue to hold the course. I know that despite the narrow victory of Maduro, they kept back the opposition in the local elections, but they still might be looking at their own figures and for a way to pull out the opposition's more popular poles around inflation and crime.
Last edited by Red Commissar; 20th February 2014 at 06:16.
Here's a pretty awesome article from Policy Mic that I think the OP especially will appreciate.
http://www.policymic.com/articles/82...zuela-are-fake
"I'm a pessimist because of intelligence, but an optimist because of will." - Antonio Gramsci
"If he did advocate revolutionary change, such advocacy could not, of course, receive constitutional protection, since it would be by definition anti-constitutional."
- J.A. MacGuigan in Roach v. Canada, 1994
The only reasons that Russia or China haven't started throwing their weight around is that they haven't reached the hegemonic heights that the USA has, where everything south of Texas is considered it's back yard, and everything south of Florida is it's swimming pool. For now Russia and China have to be content with throwing their weight around in geographically contiguous areas, which they most certainly do, and try to build blocs to counter the USA's economic/political influence. IMO there can be no true independence or sovereignty under capitalism, at least not for the people the left-wing cares about.
"Win, lose or draw...long as you squabble and you get down, that's gangsta."
Protesters rally behind arrested leader in Venezuela; unrest spreads abroad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym08QvEln5s
Sixth person dies in Venezuelan unrest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNXIw73ljR4
Maduro threatens to expel CNN as protests rage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEV6lHmjtH4
'Caracas chaos promoted by US with regime change aim' - Venezuelan minister
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYMYnwo1d38
Demonstrations in Venezuela continue as opposition leader faces charges
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzcbGTmAN1o
