Hands Off Venezuela addresses the North Wales Social Forum

Representatives from the trade union, peace and socialist movement in Wrexham gathered on Tuesday 29th November in a Miners' Club to hear about the struggles of the Venezuelan Revolution.

Ramon Samblas, spokesperson for the Hands Off Venezuela campaign gave an account of the revolutionary events taking place in Venezuela and provided an historical background to the revolution that has gripped the country and now threatens to expand throughout Latin America. Some of those in attendance reacted with surprise and joy when Ramon explained how the workers in Venezuela had defeated the counterrevolutionary attacks launched by the Venezuelan bosses with the aid of the US administration. After the talk there was a lively questions and answers session where everybody participated. Many present explained that they had been really impressed by the documentary “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”. One of those who spoke was from Chile and established some links between the situation in Chile in the early 1970s and Venezuela today.

There were a lot of proposals on how to build solidarity with the Venezuelan revolution. People pledged to bring the issue to their trade unions, peace groups and offered to use their connections with progressive members of the Welsh Assembly to highlight the struggle of the working people of Venezuela.  After the meeting, many of those present moved to the local pub to carry on the discussion.