Fusion of la Societé Bolivarienne du Québec and Hands Off Venezuela - Montreal

On September the 13th at 4pm, la Societé Bolivarienne du Québec (SBQ) held a general assembly to finalize the plans for a fusion with Hands Off Venezuela Montreal (HOV). This merger is the result of over a year and a half of common work, which culminated in the most popular Latin American solidarity event in Quebec for over 5 years with close to 200 people present to hear speakers Jorge Martin and the late Celia Hart. See the report here: Celia Hart and Jorge Martin speak to a packed meeting in Montreal

Over 20 activists were present at this historic meeting to unite two of the best Latin American solidarity groups in Montreal. The assembly opened with words from SBQ president Ricardo Astudillo about the importance of this meeting as a major step forward for the solidarity movement in Quebec and the excitement that he has for working united with the comrades from HOV. This was followed by the official proposition for the fusion between the two groups and the adoption of the statement of unity published below. All of the propositions were adopted unanimously with much enthusiasm.

Most notably as well is the involvement of the militants from Action Creative who have pledged their talents as revolutionary film makers as well as their abilities at graphic design to the cause of the group. Many future activities of the group were also discussed, including cultural nights of resistance, solidarity with the indigenous movement in Canada, actions against the recent coup plots in Venezuela and Bolivia and a book launch for Alan Wood's new book “Reformism or Revolution”in Spanish and English. 

This was followed by a “Day of Cultural Resistance,” on the 14th of September, in celebration of the unity between the groups. This celebration was opened up by SBQ militant Vladimir Ilich Lopez Flores who spoke of the need to defend the Bolivarian revolution, especially in the light of the recent fascist attacks in Bolivia. This was followed  by the Montreal coordinator of HOV, Lorenzo Fiorito who spoke of the importance of the fusion in furthering our abilities to make sure the Bolivarian Revolution does not remain isolated and that we spread the revolutionary experiences of the Latin American people to Canada and help build a socialist society which is international. This party lasted all day, with music performances from many Montreal Latin American musicians, including Bolivar Papineau and La Banda de Gaza.

To get involved with HOV/SBQ in Montreal send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

French and Spanish translations will follow.

Statement of Unity: Fusion of la Societé Bolivarienne du Québec and Hands Off Venezuela - Montreal

La Societé Bolivarienne du Québec/Hands Off Venezuela is an organization in Quebec, joining the forces of revolutionaries in support of the Bolivarian Revolution.

We are workers, students, Québecois, Canadians, immigrants and First Nations people, speaking a multitude of languages, but unified in our struggle to transform this society into one fit for human existence in dignity and solidarity.

The Bolivarian Revolution is the shining example showing the way forward for humanity. The success of the Revolution depends greatly on events in Venezuela, Bolivia, Cuba, and other countries of Latin America. But the best defense of the Revolution is to spread it internationally, to prepare the conditions for revolution in our own countries.

The Bolivarian Revolution has uplifted workers, peasants, indigenous people and the oppressed wherever it has gone. Our work in Quebec is to transmit the example and the lessons of the Revolution to the workers, the First Nations, and the oppressed of this society, to link these struggles in an internationalist, revolutionary project to overthrow capitalism and build socialism on our own land.

Solidarity transforms our isolation and weakness into strength through diversity. Ensemble nous vaincrons - Hasta la victoria siempre!