Hands Off Venezuela backs John McDonnell

Venezuela campaign backs McDonnell

Hundreds of activists at the Hands Off Venezuela conference on Saturday pledged their support for Labour leadership contender John McDonnell in his bid to become the next prime minister.

by Charley Allan at UCU

In an electric atmosphere at the second annual general meeting of Hands Off Venezuela, a comradely debate examined the role of campaigners within the solidarity movement and praised Mr McDonnell for his “consistent support for President Chavez and the Bolivarian revolution.”

Those opposed to the motion described it as “bonkers,” because it could, potentially, alienate people from the campaign.

Moving the resolution, which was carried with an 80 per cent majority, steering committee member Pam Woods condemned “the anti-Venezuela position of Tony Blair,” urging “members of Hands Off Venezuela to promote the candidature for Labour leadership of John McDonnell.”

Other motions passed on the day included a commitment to backing all solidarity organisations “taking the initiative” in supporting “progressive social movements in Latin America.”

Bolivia Solidarity Campaign chairwoman Amancay Colque said: “With the help of Hands Off Venezuela, after just two pickets we forced multinational corporation Grant Thornton to extinguish their power of attorney over the tin mines in Huanuni.”

Of particular concern for conference was the grave situation of the Mexican social movements, condemning that country’s recent electoral fraud and repression of striking teachers in Oaxaca.

An emergency resolution supporting the rights of the Mexican people against imperialism and corruption was amended to instruct practical solidarity work by Hands Off Venezuela and other affiliated groups.

On November 20, which is the day that “cheated” presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is due to be inaugurated as “parallel president,” it was agreed to hold a picket outside the Mexican embassy, followed by a rally at a central London venue.

Jeremy Corbyn MP, who is set to become foreign secretary under a John McDonnell premiership, explained: “The radical tide of Latin America affects everybody in the whole continent.

“Many Mexicans have a very hard life in the United States, but they’re not prepared to take this crap any longer.”

Mr McDonnell revealed: “On every platform on my campaign trail, I’ve raised the issue of Venezuela. What we want now is a clear-cut commitment from the Labour government that it supports the Venezuelan revolution.”

To standing ovations, he promised “to break the military alliance with George Bush within 24 hours” if he wins the leadership contest.

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