[Imc-uk-features] proposed feature: Revolution in UK Solidarity with Venezuela

[charley allan]

hi all, how about pulling together the post-referendum news, from a 
grassroots angle? this is what i've come up with, it would be amazing 
to get it on before tomorrow morning, as the GWS debrief is later that 
day. some advice on the possibilities of making that happen would be 
much appreciated, charley xxx

Title: Revolution in UK Solidarity with Venezuela

(picture link: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/images/2004/08/296836.jpg )

The level of solidarity between the UK grassroots movements and the 
Venezuelan people, alongside their popular radical government, have 
reached a new high. Activists from all political stripes are 
transcending ideological and personal differences to defend Venezuela's 
embryonic "Democratic Revolution".

During the recent referendum process (link: 
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/09/297860.html ), two London-based 
activists from the Global Women's Strike were invited to Caracas as 
international observers. The GWS have been campaigning for years for 
the kinds of achievements now won by women in Venezuela, such as 
economic recognition of their vast amount of unpaid caring work. On 
Saturday they shall be holding a debriefing in Camden with 
video-reportage. (link: 
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/09/297889.html )

After years of ignorance by trade union leaders, workers here are 
putting pressure upwards to stand in solidarity with the "Bolivarian 
Movement" in Venezuela. The movement's progressive programme of 
eradicating illiteracy, universal free education and healthcare, land 
and wealth redistribution, and equal access to the media rings a chord 
with workers all over the world (link: 
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/09/297767.html ). Solidarity with 
the new "Bolivarian" trade union, the UNT, has become a big issue.

Activists from Hands Off Venezuela have also been experimenting with 
"Participatory Democracy" by lobbying MPs in Parliament (link: 
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/09/297369.html ) and even the 
Venezuelan Ambassador (link: 
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/09/297892.html )! Amazingly, the 
ambassador had no idea that there was support for Chávez in the House 
of Commons, namely from the 30 MPs who signed the GWS-inspired Early 
Day Motion 854. Also there have been lots of screenings of the new, 
seminal documentary "Venezuela Bolivariana..." (link: 
http://pr.indymedia.org/news/2004/08/4211.php ), most recently in 
Oxford (link: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/09/297680.html ).

All eyes are focussed on the upcoming "Global Day of Action in 
Solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution" on October 12th. Events are 
planned world and UK-wide, with at least three happening in London on 
this Tuesday of ESF week: a day-school in Middlesex University with the 
Colombia Solidarity Campaign, a rally with Rhythms of Resistance, and a 
debate at NUJ headquarters. The day will also be an opportunity to 
launch a "Bolivarian Block" to carry through the rest of the week's 
activities, culminating at the big demo on Sunday 17th (link: 
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/08/296514.html ).