On May 1, taking advantage of the International Day of the Working Class, Hands Off Venezuela Campaign held a public meeting after the May Day Demonstration in Central London. Alan Woods, editor of Marxist.com, eyewittness of the Venezuelan Revolution and one of the speakers of II International Solidarity Gathering in Venezuela gave us a really inspiring talk on what the real current situation is in that country.
Two years ago the Venezuelan reaction with the help of US imperialism organised the first threats against the Bolivarian Revolution through a coup d’etat. Since then the activities of the businessmen, the old Trade Union bureaucracy (CTV), the owners of the media and the US embassy in Caracas have been carrying through frenetic activity against the Venezuelan Revolution. We, Hands Off Venezuela! have been also working restlessly against the reactionary plots of the Venezuelan oligarchy.
On May 1, taking advantage of the International Day of the Working Class, Hands Off Venezuela! held a public meeting after the May Day Demonstration in Central London.
Alan Woods, editor of Marxist.com, eyewittness of the Venezuelan Revolution and one of the speakers of II International Solidarity Gathering in Venezuela gave us a really inspiring talk on what the real current situation is in that country.
In a room full of trade unionists, students, and leftwing activists (most of them linked to Solidarity movements with Latin America) Alan Woods also spoke on the current threats the Venezuelan Revolution is facing. One of the most serious threats comes from the Colombian border. US imperialism is using this country, by increasing tensions along the border with Venezuela, to justify a foreign intervention. He explained that the only way forward for the Venezuelan people is to break with capitalism as the only way to defend the achievements of the Revolution. However, this idea is becoming more and more popular amongst the masses that have seen three serious attempts to smash the Bolivarian Movement by the Venezuelan oligarchy.
On the other hand, another threat to the Revolution is represented by the moderate tendencies within the same Movement. The Marxist writer explained how these tendencies had lead other revolutionary movements to the defeat, like in Chile 1973. He finished his speech linking the struggle of the Venezuelan urban poor, workers, fishermen, peasants and students with the international struggle of the labour movement against capitalism.
After that, the attendants held a really interesting debate about the current tasks of the Venezuelan Revolution and how the British Working Class can help their class brothers and sisters in Venezuela. Despite of the fact that only 45 people were there the Hands Off Venezuela! Campaign collected £65. This money will be used to extend the fight against the media blackout and to spread solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution all over the world. These actions are very important. We must support the Venezuelan Revolution as part of our daily struggle against capitalism in Britain.