REPORT ON ANTI-NATO ACTION IN D.C.

by justpeace87

UNAC Mobilization a Big Success Against NATO, War and Racism

 

from Red Lamp News and Analysis, April 2, 2019

International League of People’s Struggle or ILPS, New Patriotic Alliance or Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan USA) and representatives of Anakbayan youth USA joined the United National Antiwar Coalition or UNAC together with a dozen of justice and peace organizations under No to NATO. The Virginia Defenders for Freedom and Justice and Equality based here in Richmond Virginia which I came to join also participated in the mobilization sending their representatives in Washington D.C. The mobilization was a big success.

UNAC is composed of various organizations in the US fighting against US imperialism and war of intervention, plunder and destruction in other countries. The coalition called “No to NATO, War and Racism! U.S. Hands Off Venezuela”.

The mobilization was participated of many people’s mass organizations coming from various states and some as far as Canada, traveling 10 hours on road to join the march.

The march started at 2:45 in the afternoon but speakers went on stage at around 1:00 in the afternoon speaking on the need to oppose US imperialist wars of aggression in other countries specifically today the ongoing embargo and US sanctions in Venezuela and against their Maduro with the US trying to put its puppet representative Guido for its total control of the country’s oil resources.

The March rally route highlighted the functions of US government agencies and went to do a stop on each of them. It started in front of the White-house and went to pass the building of the International Monetary Fund at 700 19th St. NW, the World Bank, the Organization of American States at 188 F. St. NW, the Office of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Customs and Border “Protection” at 1300 Pennsylvania road.

Various speakers expounded on the need to oppose ongoing U.S. Intervention in Venezuela, the need for all people’s to support the struggle’s in other countries as well as continuous organizing of anti-imperialist organizations and the solidarity movement inside the belly of the beast.

Speaking on behalf of the Philippines was former Congressman Raymond “Mong” Palatino who represented the Bayan- Philippines and ILPS- Philippines. Mong Palatino spoke on the continuing attack of the Filipino people by the US-backed fascist corrupt Duterte regime and the US’
role in funding its military and police that have killed thousands in the Philippines under a pretext of fighting the entry of drugs but is being used as a political cover to attack legitimate dissent and rights of the Filipino people.

Many speakers highlighted the need to develop a vibrant anti-imperialist organization in the U.S. and its role in supporting the struggles of neo-colonial countries. Many condemned and lambasted the US intent in seeking to take advantage of Venezuela’s economic problems by orchestrating a U.S. embargo to choke the economy and its latent intent to roll back the country into the age of right-wing fascist puppet regimes supportive of the US hegemonic power and agenda. Some speakers also spoke of the U.S. role to transform its Latin American backyard as a haven for big multinational corporations and continue to exploit resources like oil in the case of Venezuela as one of the world ’s highest deposit far more compared that in the middle east. A speaker also mentioned the U.S. using the framework of the Monroe doctrine of 1831 to continuously intervene in Latin America.

The coalition also highlighted the role of NATO in the U.S. wars of intervention, plunder and destruction of other countries as a largest military alliance in the world with the largest military spreading (roughly three-quarters of the world total) and nuclear stockpiles. Founded on April 4, 1949, 70 years this coming Thursday, NATO is seen as a formation that serves well U.S. craving for more wars in the world. While proclaiming to “preserving peace”, NATO has violated international laws and to mention a few it has bombed Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia, Afganistan, Pakistan, and Libya. It indeed has only exacerbated the tensions with Russia, increased the risk of nuclear devastation. As a leading contributor to the tremendous effects and devastation as a result of imperialist intervention in other countries, it is also the main cause of wide displacement of people, the growing immigration and refugees, and climate crisis.

NATO has caused the erosion of civil liberties and in fact, is the main catalyst for racism and bigotry to grow in the U.S. and throughout the world. Instead of celebrating NATO, the coalition called for its dismantling and rechanneling its funding and resources to people’s needs, the call to stop militarizing cultures in other parts of the world. Instead of celebrating NATO hiding on the slogan of “maintaining world peace which is nothing but a mechanism for U.S. imperialist control and domination in the world over its resources and markets ), the group called to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech against the war he made in April, 1967, as well as his assassination on April 4, 1968.

Amid Donald Trumps doubletalk call that NATO is obsolete, speakers at the rally exposed him as a salesman of U.S. imperialism by asking member countries to buy more arms from the U.S. for wars. Among others being mentioned is NATO adding its partnership with Colombia exposing its self its false pretenses as only within “North Atlantic” suing NATO as a leeway for U.S. Congress to decide of committing the right to oversee the atrocities U.S. wars, used as a cover by member governments to join U.S. wars under the pretense that they are somehow are more legal or acceptable, a cover to illegally and recklessly share nuclear weapons of mass destruction with supposedly non-nuclear nations as well as used to assign nations the responsibility to go to war if other nations go to war as well its aggressive promotion of militarism that threatens the environment, fuel racism, and bigotry and eroding civil liberties and finally making sure that the world resources are in the hands of the few big U.S. capitalists.

March Route and the US Government institutions the marchers passed by.
(March Guide was developed by the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice and Equality)

International Monetary Fund – 700 19th St. NW
Also founded in 1945, the International Monetary Fund or IMF, is an international financial institution notorious for demanding so-called “structural reforms” in return for financial assistance. These reforms include promoting budgets, removing price controls, slashing government subsidies for the poor, privatizing state-owned enterprises, and changing national laws to make it easier for foreign investors to make profits. Meeting these demands has resulted in the neo-colonization of many countries in Asia including the Philippines, Africa and Latin America and more recently in Eastern Europe, as in Poland, Hungry and Ukraine.

World bank (Inspection Panel) – 1818 H. St. NW 
Founded in 1945, the World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to countries for capital projects. It claims that its goal is reducing poverty, but in granting loans to developing countries it often traps them in deepening cycles of debt. Further, the loans are dependent on agreeing to anti-worker structural “reforms.” In Ghana, it forces school fees on poor students. In Tanzania, it demanded the government to privatize its water system as what it did in the Philippines with foreign corporations taking control of the Maynilad and MWSS. In post-war Iraq, it pushed for eliminating food subsidies. Further, many of the capital projects its funds have been deeply destructive of the environment.

Organization of American States – 1889 F. St. NW
Founded in 1948, the Organization of American States, or OAS, is made up of the 35 countries of South, Central and North America and the Caribbean. The OAS has now thrown its weight behind the U.S. campaign to overthrow the elected government of Venezuela. On January 10, it passed a resolution “to not recognize the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro’s new term” as president of Venezuela. Venezuela is in the process of withdrawing from the OAS. Cuba was expelled from the organization in 1962, an order that only ceased to the effect in 2009. But Cuba now refuses to accept re-admission in solidarity with Venezuela. OAS member Colombia has now become NATO’s first South American “global partner.” President Trump has said he wants to see Brazil become another partner. Both countries border Venezuela and are led by right-wing presidents eager to do Washington’s bidding. So now NATO is being brought into the U.S. campaign to overthrow a socialist government that has nationalized the country’s oil industry and uses the revenue to benefit the vast majorities of Venezuelans, especially the poor.

Office of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser – 1350 Pennsylvania. NW
As of July 2017, the District of Colombia has a poverty rate of 16.6% meaning one out of every six residents is poor, most of them Black or Latino/a. And this is in the capital of the richest country in the world. Further, D.C. has a higher level of income inequality than any state in the country. Households in the top 20% of income have more than half of all D.C. income, while the bottom 20% has 2%. Why can’t the government address this situation? Because our taxes are being wasted on war. We’re told that military spending only takes up about a quarter of the federal budget, but that’s just for the Department of “Defense.” It doesn’t include nuclear weapons, which come under the Department of Energy. Or veterans’ health care and benefits, which come under the Department of Veteran Affairs. Or interest payments on the national debt, which is the cost of past wars and is now nearly equal to the “Defense” budget. Altogether, half our federal tax dollars go to past, present and future wars. This is why the politicians claim there’s no money for better schools, public transit, universal health care or the environment, and that we must cut hard-won domestic programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. And this is why we say, “Stop the Wars at Home and Abroad!” and use the country’s vast military spending for people’s needs in the cities and rural areas and for the reparations for the wars abroad.

Customs and Border “Protection” – 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

The Customs and Border Protection agency was formed in 2003 by combining functions of several other agencies, such as the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) and the U.S. Border Patrol. It is now the largest federal law enforcement agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and one of the largest enforcement agencies in the entire country, with more than 45,600 sworn federal agents and officers. Remember that every border of the United States was carved out of indigenous lands. The descendants of those who stole the land now want to keep out mainly Latino/a immigrants, many of whom are indigenous. This was true under President Obama, whose administration deported more immigrants than any president before him, and that repression has now been ratcheted up under the brutally racist policies of the Trump administration. “No hay fronteras en la lucha los obreros – There are no borders in the workers struggle!”

SOLIDARITY MISSION TO VENEZUELA

by justpeace87

U.S. Anti-War Movement Leaders Report from Embattled Venezuela

 

by John Catalinotto, Published on Workers World, March 12, 2019

Reports from anti-war delegation members Sara Flounders and Joe Lombardo in Venezuela were used to prepare this article.

Leaders of the anti-war movement in the United States arrived in Caracas on March 9 and 10 to find out firsthand the truth of how the government and population are responding to the U.S.-led attacks on Venezuela. They will use this truth to build solidarity with the worldwide efforts to stop the covert U.S. war, economic sabotage and propaganda assault on Venezuela.

As they landed in Caracas, the delegates, like the Venezuelan people, were faced with a power outage caused by sabotage of the electrical grid. This interfered with transportation and communications for them, too, even though their hotel had its own power generator.

Everyone in the group had planned to arrive on March 9, but some airlines insisted that the travelers have visas just to fly to Venezuela. Since the break in U.S.-Venezuelan relations, no visas are being issued in the U.S., but most of the delegation members were able to fly anyway, based on letters from their Venezuelan hosts.

Saturday, March 9, sharing the same flight into Caracas were Bahman Azad, the organizational secretary of the U.S. Peace Council, the organization sponsoring the delegation; Gerry Condon,president of Veterans for Peace; Sara Flounders, co-coordinator of the International Action Center; Ajamu Baraka, national coordinator of the Black Alliance for Peace; progressive journalist Eva Bartlett; and Joe Lombardo, co-coordinator of the United National Antiwar Coalition.

Arriving later that day and Sunday to complete the delegation were Sarah Martin from Women Against Military Madness; Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers of Popular Resistance; Darien De Lu, president of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom-U.S.; Miguel Figueroa, president of the Canadian Peace Congress; and Daniel Shea, board of directors, Veterans For Peace.

The delegation met over the next few days with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, who discussed with them the historic struggle between the U.S. and Venezuela over who will control the great oil and gold resources of this South American nation. The fact that Washington is now acting so openly against the Venezuelan government exposes to people all over the world the real face of U.S. imperialism.

Role of U.S. population is key

Arreaza made it clear that the Bolivarian government attaches great importance to the potential response of the people in the U.S. He said you must be in the front lines, that you are the first victims of imperialism and that the most fundamental change will happen inside the United States.

This underscores the importance of the demonstration that the members of the delegation and their organizations are building for March 30 in Washington, D.C. UNAC originally called this event to protest the upcoming 70th anniversary of NATO, set to be celebrated there by the Western warmakers on April 4. But after the U.S. moves against the government in Caracas, the coalition refocused the March 30 action more urgently on opposing U.S. intervention in Venezuela. Many organizations now support this protest.

Solidarity groups in Venezuela are also paying attention to the U.S. movement. The Committee of International Solidarity (COSI) met the delegates as they arrived at the airport and have helped explain what is happening on the ground in their country.

In addition to our meetings with Arreaza, the North American delegates held discussions with organizers from COSI, including its president, Carolus Wimmer; Carlos Ron, the vice minister of foreign affairs for North America, who had been stationed in New York for some time; and Pasqualina Curcio, an economist at the Central University of Venezuela.

Curcio discussed the U.S. role in creating the “humanitarian crisis” in Venezuela. These include shortages of basic necessities: toilet paper, corn, milk, coffee and vital medicines. To counter these shortages, the Bolivarian government established a distribution network to serve 6 million families by importing food, medicine and hygiene products.

The current U.S. sanctions on Venezuela’s oil, the blocking of its banking services and the edicts that prevent the government from using its gold reserves all restrict the ability of the Venezuelan government to satisfy basic needs.

On top of this, the U.S. has handed $11 billion worth of assets of Venezuela’s national oil company, CITGO, directly to Juan Guaidó, a virtually unknown right-wing politician until U.S. Vice President Mike Pence suggested on Jan. 23 that Guaidó nominate himself to be “interim president.”

U.S. frank about plans for aggression

Foreign Minister Arreaza was recently in negotiations with the notorious Elliott Abrams, who just this January was appointed Special Representative for Venezuela by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Abrams had organized bloody right-wing coups in Central America in the 1980s for the Reagan administration and was also a key architect of the Iraq War.

Arreaza characterized Abrams as “frank” when he told the Venezuelan that “all options are on the table” — a threat of military intervention aimed at splitting the Venezuelan military.

When Arreaza then reminded Abrams that “The coup has failed,” the U.S. organizer of counterrevolutions shrugged and said, “This is a long-term project.”

Arreaza explained to the anti-war delegation that in countering the shutdown of its electrical power, Venezuela had to deal with an attack on the brain of its electrical system. “The enemy knows the weakness of the system,” he said. “The U.S. knows what Venezuela could not buy or replace. Knows what we have. This is cyber terrorism!”

Abrams also told Arreaza that to get peace, Venezuela must do as Nicaragua did in 1990, that is, hold a new election that the European Union would set up — and that would open the door to the right-wing.

Arreaza explained to the antiwar group that Venezuela has a broad system of social protection that began under Hugo Chávez and was even further expanded after Maduro became president. “That’s why,” he said, “four days without power in several major cities did not lead to chaos,” as it would have in most of the world. The imperialists wanted an image of people looting food markets, but that failed.

Russia, China and Turkey are helping Venezuela, said Arreaza. “We need the solidarity of the whole world, though. Terrorist brigades are being armed against us.”

Contending forces

The demonstration supporting Guaidó on the day the delegation arrived was smaller than its organizers had projected. While Maduro may have the support of half the population, his opposition is divided into many forces. And most of them oppose U.S. military intervention.

Eastern Caracas, an upper- and middle-class area, is a base of the opposition to the Maduro government. Western Caracas is working class and Black, with a lot of support for the government. Lombardo reports that the west side used to be a real shanty town, but the Bolivarian Revolution put resources into this community and now the people live in nice apartment buildings.

Guaidó’s forces, reports Flounders, were described as racist, sort of the KKK of Venezuela. Nine of the people burnt to death by the counterrevolutionary opposition in 2017 were Black Venezuelans.

Even by Sunday, March 10, the delegation already had a lot of media requests for interviews. They plan a press conference at the United Nations in New York City on Monday, March 18 at 11 a.m., as well as a public webinar report-back on March 26 at 7pm.

John Catalinotto was born in New York, USA, where he teaches mathematics at City University. He was a civilian organizer for the anti-war, anti-racist American Servicemen’s Union during the U.S. war in Vietnam, since 1982 managing editor of Workers World weekly newspaper, key organizer for the International Action Center of the Tribunal on Yugoslavia (June 2000) and Tribunal on Iraq (August 2004). Collaborator with Avante and odiario.info (Portugal) and Terra e Tempo (Galicia). Edited two books, Metal of Dishonor about depleted uranium (1997) and Hidden Agenda: the U.S.-NATO Takeover of Yugoslavia (2002). Member of Tlaxcala.

NORTH AMERICAN DAY OF ACTION AGAINST NATO

by justpeace87

STATEMENT (MARCH 23, 2019)

JOIN IN NORTH AMERICAN DAY OF ACTION AGAINST NATO!

Seaforth Peace Park, noon on March 30

 

March 30 is a day of action throughout North America and beyond to oppose the next summit of the North Arlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). With imperialism on a desperate course of militarization, terror and meddling so as to gain and control markets for monopoly capital, NATO is planning more interventions and intimidation.

 

NATO is causing chaos and suffering as it tries to destabilize domestic affairs hoping that forces friendlier to the interests of imperialism will takeover. This does not usually work and all it produces is drawn-out violence and societal destruction, as in Afghanistan, Syria and Libya.

 

The Trudeau government has been strengthening Canada’s role in NATO, adopting policies of aggression and extending its military budget, operations and commitments. Rallies and marches will be held in Canadian cities.

 

In Vancouver, go to the Peace Flame at the Seaforth Peace Park at the south end of Burrard Bridge at noon on Saturday, March 30.  There will be a short march from the park along Burrard Bridge and back after some speeches. The theme of this event is “SAY NO TO NATO WARS AND INTERVENTIONS.”

 

Venezuela is a case being highlighted internationally on this day of action. The situation is crying out for broad solidarity to ward off the attempts to interfere and orchestrate a change in government in Venezuela, with the aim of thwarting the people’s Bolivarian Movement and its leadership. Venezuela is another case of cruel economic sanctions that cause suffering to the masses in the hope that they will fall to their knees and succumb to the dictate of the financial oligarchy and the US-led empire. These sanctions are a violation of international law and UN protocol. Economic warfare is carried out as NATO partners and other allies line up their weaponry and aim it at Venezuela, poised to engage in military warfare.

 

One of NATO’s areas of development is cyber-war. Venezuela is also victim of a cyber-attack that shut down a hydroelectric dam supplying most of the country with electricity on March 7. The state quickly recovered and then investigated the attack to verify that the computerized system at the Guri Dam was hacked, tracing the hacker to Houston, Texas.

 

The dam’s technology was bought from a Canadian company. Canada is supporting and encouraging right-wing countries (the Lima Group) to gang up on Venezuela. P.M. Justin Trudeau has aligned the government more closely with NATO and Washington, DC than ever before. It is enthusiastically supporting the sanctions that are hurting the people in Venezuela and elsewhere such as North Korea.  It is calling for regime-changes in Venezuela, Syria, Korea and beyond. It is mobilizing militarily while pressing hard against democracy and the peoples’ basic rights at home. Canadians must rise up to show solidarity for the Venezuelan people and opposition to wars of aggression and interventions as a normal practice to enforce imperialist rule. They must help to expose the Canadian government and mobilize a people’s opposition for justice and peace.

 

International solidarity is urgently needed. Let us unite against NATO and all interference and wars of aggression. Stand up for the people of Venezuela and the peoples around the world. Defend the peoples’ efforts to defend themselves and build alternatives that offer livelihoods, material comforts and real security.

 

No to NATO Wars and Interventions!                                                                     International solidarity!

Unite for Just Peace against Imperialist Domination and Aggression!

Hands off Venezuela!                               Long live the Bolivarian cause and Movement!

 

Facebook: Venezuela Peace and Solidarity Committee of Vancouver

Twitter: #venezuelapeacesol

 

Venezuela, crux of the Latin American war zone

by justpeace87

PUBLIC FORUM:
VENEZUELA, CENTER OF THE LATIN AMERICAN WAR ZONE

Thursday, March 21, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Center for Socialist Education, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver

Speakers from the Venezuela Peace and Solidarity Committee of Vancouver will talk about (1) Venezuela as the current focus of the continuing imperialist, “dirty war” on Latin America, and (2) building solidarity for Bolivarian Venezuela and peace.

While the US and its allies did its best to destabilize Venezuela and push the right-wing opposition into a civil war, and their international media churned the frenzy to give the appearance of a civil war, they did not succeed. There is no civil war. The leader of the opposition to the Bolivarian movement, despite all the resources imperialism provided, has been neutralized and is taking refuge in Colombia for the moment. A legal case of sedition is being prepared against him. The defense of Bolivarian Venezuela on February 23rd, supported by a widely expressed voice of solidarity around the world, was a triumph in this episode of the war on Venezuela and the efforts to subjugate all of Latin America and the Caribbean to imperialist command. However, danger lurks. The US and its allies including Canada and in Europe is preparing to engage in more interference and attempts at intervention. They are arming and training special forces in Colombia, Brazil and Colombia. Meanwhile, sanctions are starving the Venezuelan society by blocking much needed funds and supplies from entering the country and restricting exports. The Maduro government is doing its best to find aid and further socialize the country for survival and advancement. However, time is short. International solidarity is urgently required to help the Venezuelan people live and fend off more imperialist and right-wing attacks.

Please come to this vital discussion. Your solidarity is necessary! The situation will be explained in more detail, and in the context of imperialist strategy and interests in Latin America. We will then discuss building solidarity.

This email and #venezuelapeacesol on Twitter.

Facebook: Vancouver Peace and Solidarity Committee of Vancouver

International Day for Venezuela Solidarity

by justpeace87

Statement of the Venezuela Peace and Solidarity Committee of Vancouver                   February 18, 2019

HANDS OFF VENEZUELA!

Stop Trump’s War on Venezuela!                 Stop Trudeau’s War on Venezuela!

 

The Venezuela Peace and Solidarity Committee of Vancouver represents solidarity for peace and social justice in Venezuela, Latin America and elsewhere. We do not support the illegitimate declaration of an interim president and all the states of the imperialist encirclement that are propping up the “ghost government.” It is a dark and menacing shadow looming over the region threatening war and oppression.

 

US military forces are gathering in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, poised for an invasion. Military bases encircle the Venezuelan land border. Cuba has broadcast a stern denunciation of this military activity and we echo it. Hands off Venezuela!

 

Supported by the majority of the working and oppressed people in Venezuela, the Bolivarian Party government of Venezuela, led by the legitimately elected President, Eduardo Maduro, has been offering peaceful remedies to de-escalate the political crisis and alleviate economic hardship. He is appealing to the UN to lift the boycott against Venezuela and release Venezuelan funds invested abroad. Also, he has been calling for a national election in Venezuela to address the leadership challenge. We support these initiatives in the name of peace and in considering the best interests of the Venezuelan people.

 

The inauguration of President Nicolás Maduro for a second six-year term in office took place on January 10, 2019, in the presence of international guests. He was re-elected in May 2018 with 67 percent of the vote in an election that was judged to be free and fair by independent observers. There was a 46% turnout at the polls despite a boycott by the main opposition right-wing parties.

 

One of the main causes of the economic trouble, aside from the fluctuating global oil prices, is the harsh sanctions imposed on Venezuela by many countries through a United Nations decision. Sanctions against legitimate, peaceful governments on political grounds are acts of aggression. Under similar sanctions, the Iranian people have been suffering from the massive reduction of its oil trade, and Venezuela has been experiencing a similar, drastic loss of oil trade revenue. Many imports have been cut off. The same forces who have instigated the cruel sanctions are complaining of the sharpening economic problems in Venezuela. They are making that the basis for their rejection of the elected government.

 

We call for an end to the sanctions! We oppose Canada’s participation in the sanctions and meddling in the affairs of Venezuela which are creating instability in the entire region. It is irresponsible and underhanded. Instead of promoting peace, the Canadian government is a factor for the war danger. We demand an end to foreign interference. We denounce the support for the illegal and reactionary stunt of propping up a puppet who is arbitrarily and falsely posing as a representative of the Venezuelan people. Far from caring about the welfare of the people, he has created instability and is threatening justice and peace.

 

The domestic and foreign political opponents of the Bolivarian government of Venezuela are trying to manufacture a so-called humanitarian crisis. No international humanitarian relief agency has made any appeal about Venezuela. Think of all the situations in Africa, the Asia and elsewhere where victims, concerned people and genuine humanitarian aid personnel have cried out for assistance for people in grave situations to no avail, when many states ignored them. Imperialist states led by the US and joined by others including Canada are supporting political opponents of the Maduro government so as to create a credibility crisis. To do so, they are deliberately spreading misinformation, stirring up instability and blaming the real government for the economic hardships created by their own sanctions.

 

Major private corporations and states that serve them are angry that the late Hugo Chavez and Eduardo Maduro have been leading social reforms. They are angry that profits are being sacrificed for the sake of the Venezuela people’s betterment and freedom. US imperialism cannot forgive Chávez and Maduro for nationalizing the oil industry that it greedily covets. Likewise, the local oligarchy cannot forgive Chávez and Maduro for using the oil profits to build schools, hospitals and clinics, low-cost housing and other progressive programs for the broad masses of the people.

 

The VPSC condemns the attempt by the US and the local reactionaries in Venezuela to overthrow the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and reverse its patriotic and progressive Bolivarian orientation. We extend our solidarity to the Venezuelan government and people and support their right to national self-determination and to chart their own independent course of development.

 

At this critical time, we urge people in Canada and beyond to organize and join actions to support the people of Venezuela as they struggle to build a fair and just society. We must rally against the imperialist threats and financial and economic sanctions meant to punish the Venezuelan people for daring to build a society that refuses to obey the dictates of Washington and company.

 

Join our action on Saturday, February 23: a picket at the Vancouver Public Library at Robson and Homer Streets starting at 11:00 a.m., followed by a rally in front of the CBC at Georgia and Hamilton Streets at noon (12:00).

 

No More Sanctions!

Hands off Venezuela! No military intervention!

Respect the democratic process!

Stop Trump’s Gold and Oil Grab!

International Solidarity!

 

The Venezuela Peace and Solidarity Committee of Vancouver is a collective of mass organizations committed to unity in action to defend the people of Venezuela and the Bolivarian Movement for change.

 

KEEP DEMOCRACY IN VENEZUELA!

by justpeace87

(From the January issue of Just Peace Newsbulletin)

RESPECT THE VENEZUELAN ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

In Venezuela on May 22, 2018, Nicolas Maduro was re-elected with 0ver 67% of the votes. On January 15, 2019, the inauguration of the second term of his presidency was held with international visitors present. His party represents the Bolivarian movement to raise living standards for workers and the poor, provide more public services, and regionalize and nationalize economic activities.

On Wednesday, January 23, however, the leader of the opposition party and head of the national assembly, Juan Guaido, arbitrarily declared himself president defying the constitutional democratic process and he is enjoying the wholehearted support of right-wing and major capitalist governments including the US and Canada. A UN meeting was called to discuss whether the Maduro government posed a danger to world peace, with many states outrageously declaring it illegitimate.

Since Hugo Chavez was first elected as President in Venezuela, advances in housing, healthcare and education have been made. This is why he and all the “Chavistas” enjoy the support of the majority of the people. However, it maddens local companies and some interests because they stand to lose profits, influence and privilege. Neither does it please the multinational corporations and states such as the US and Canada. They still persist in putting the Maduro government in a bad light and they are continuing the implementation of cruel sanctions against Venezuela. For example, Canadian officials regularly assert that the elections were fraudulent and claim that the Maduro government abuses human rights, without any substantiation. They threw out the Venezuelan Ambassador to Canada. Locally, the enemies of the Bolivarian movement/ “Chavistas” carry out all sorts of plots against it; there have been terrorist violence, an assassination attempt on Maduro and schemes to hoard products to create economic chaos. Now the leader of the opposition party and head of the national assembly, Juan Guaido, has arbitrarily declared himself president defying the constitutional democratic process and he is enjoying the wholehearted support of right-wing and major capitalist governments including the US and Canada. This stance exposes their anti-socialist and anti-democratic nature.

Yes, the Venezuelan economy has problems. Sanctions cut off petroleum exports to many countries and block imports from getting in. Also, the country is still capitalist, though under going reforms. Private businesses rise and fall with the whims of the market and companies exploit workers and gouge consumers, creating mass hardship and social inequality. Nationalization of industries is an adjustment and private companies stand to lose.

The Trump administration of the United States has obviously backed this coup attempt in Venezuela. The US, Canada and others should stop meddling.

The hostilities against Venezuela should stop. The military encirclement of Venezuela that the US and other countries have put in place threatens peace in the region should be dismantled. The sanctions should be lifted. The false presentation of Guaido as a legitimate representative of the people’s will should be rejected.

This maniacal desire of global capital represented by US imperialism and its allies to have all countries conform to its world view and way of life is unjust. It is creating instability, exacerbating local conflicts, and increasing the violence by which many civilians perish and suffer. Sovereignty and democracy are shoved aside. The peoples of the world should unite to stand up for life, decent standards and just peace.

Hands Off Yemen! Anti-War Rally

by justpeace87

Saturday, 3 November 2018
1:00 – 3:00pm
MP Jody Wilson-Raybould’s office
1245 W Broadway, Vancouver

Hosted by Vancouver Peace Council

#HandsOffYemen! Oppose Canada’s imperialist support of the US-led Saudi war on Yemen. Please sign the anti-war petition to be distributed to the Minister of Justice on the day of the protest:https://goo.gl/forms/0mFiQB94m5FdUIqV2

According to a United Nations (UN) report on October 25th, half of Yemen’s population is facing “pre-famine conditions.” The UN also notes that more than 3 million Yemenis have been internally displaced. Many Yemenis are in dire need of healthcare, but are unfortunately unable to receive it, due to the sea, land, and air blockade placed on the country by Saudi Arabian warships since 2015. Tens of thousands of Yemeni civilians have been killed.

The Saudi coalition that is currently using airstrikes on Yemen is operated, financed, and led by the United Stated and its allies, including Canada, France, the UK, UAE, and Qatar. Without this material, financial, and logistical support from imperialist powers, Saudi Arabia would not be able to carry out its brutal war on Yemen.

As people in good conscience, who oppose imperialist war, we must make our voices heard and oppose Canada’s support of the war on Yemen!

Please join us Saturday, November 3rd at 1pm in front of the Minister of Justice, MP Vancouver Granville Jody Wilson-Raybould’s office to send a strong anti-imperialist/anti-war message to the Canadian government that we oppose its imperialist involvement in Yemen! Bring your anti-war signs, your friends, and your family—we will be meeting at 1245 W. Broadway.

https://www.facebook.com/events/340812466679376/

DPRK 70th Anniversary

by justpeace87

Delegation from Korean Federation in Canada 
Inspired by DPRK’s 70th Anniversary Celebrations

Parade in Pyongyang September 9, 2018, marking the 70th anniversary of the founding 
of the DPRK.
 

From September 4 to 13, a 12-member delegation of the Korean Federation in Canada, part of an international network of progressive and patriotic Koreans living outside of the Korean Peninsula, participated in events in Pyongyang commemorating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Mrs. S.Y. Chun, past Chair of the Korean Federation in Canada, who was part of the Canadian delegation, informed TML Weekly that the visit was very inspiring to the members of the delegation because it took place in the context of the changed political atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula. She pointed out that as a result of the Panmunjom Declaration and the efforts of the north and south to work together, the Korean people are feeling optimistic and hopeful that peace and stability will be achieved on the peninsula and, in the not too distant future, the reunification of Korea itself.

While in the DPRK, the Canadian delegation participated in many rallies and events organized for the 70th anniversary of the DPRK’s founding, and also had opportunities to meet sister Korean Federation chapters from Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, China and Russia and share experiences. Plans were also made to convene overseas Koreans later in the year to discuss and adopt practical measures in their various countries to contribute to implementing the Panmunjom Declaration.

According to Mrs. Chun, the Canadian delegation observed that under the leadership of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Chairman Kim Jong Un, various sectors of the DPRK economy are being rapidly developed despite the challenges posed by the unjust political and economic sanctions. This has been achieved by appealing to the workers, and especially the youth, to step up production and build the economy.

Before leaving the country, members of the Canadian delegation, with delegates from other countries, took a commemorative photograph with Kim Yong Nam, President of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the DPRK. The delegation has returned home to Canada determined to play its role in furthering the cause of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Just Peace Committee
Vancouver, BC

Text of September Pyongyang Joint Declaration

Below is the text of the Pyongyang Joint Declaration signed by leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea, on September 19 in Pyongyang.
 
***
Chairman Kim Jong Un of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea (ROK) held north-south summit talks in Pyongyang, September 18 to 20, 2018.

The leaders expressed their appreciation that, after the historic Panmunjom Declaration, wonderful achievements have been witnessed, such as close dialogue and negotiations between the authorities of the north and the south, multilateral NGO exchanges and cooperation and important measures for the detente of military tension.

They reconfirmed the principles of national independence and self-determination and agreed to develop inter-Korean ties in a consistent and sustained way for national reconciliation, cooperation, and peace and common prosperity, and agreed to strive to provide policy to guarantee the realization of the aspirations of all their fellow countrymen to lead the present improved north-south ties to reunification.

They had a frank and in-depth discussion on all issues and practical measures for advancing north-south ties to a new higher stage by thoroughly implementing the Panmunjom Declaration, and shared the understanding that the Pyongyang Summit would mark an important historic turning point, before declaring as follows:

1. The north and the south have decided to lead the termination of military hostility in the areas of confrontation, including the Demilitarized Zone, for the substantial removal of the danger of war and fundamental eradication of hostility in the whole of the Korean Peninsula.

First, the north and the south agreed to adopt the “military agreement to implement the Panmunjom Declaration,” concluded in the period of the Pyongyang Summit talks, as an annex to the Pyongyang Joint Declaration, strictly adhere to and sincerely implement it and take practical measures pro-actively to make the Korean Peninsula a lasting peace zone.

Second, the north and the south agreed to bring the north-south joint military committee into operation as early as possible, examine the implementation of the military agreement, and have constant contact and discussion for the prevention of accidental armed clashes.

2. The north and the south decided to take practical measures to further boost exchanges and cooperation and to develop the nation’s economy in a balanced way on the principle of mutual benefit and common interests and prosperity.

First, the north and the south agreed to hold groundbreaking ceremonies to reconnect severed railways and roads on the east and west coasts and modernize them this year.

Second, the north and the south agreed to put the operation of the Kaesong Industrial Park and Mount Kumgang tourism on a normal track, as conditions ripen and hold consultations on establishing the West Sea joint special economic zone and the East Sea joint special tourism zone.

Third, the north and the south agreed to actively promote north-south environmental cooperation for the protection and restoration of the natural ecosystem and to work primarily to achieve practical success in the cooperation project in forestry now underway.

Fourth, the north and the south agreed to bolster cooperation in the anti-epidemic and public health fields, including emergency measures for the prevention of the influx and spread of infectious diseases.

3. The north and the south decided to further promote humanitarian cooperation for the fundamental settlement of the issue of separated families and their relatives.

First, the north and the south agreed to open the reunion building for separated families and their relatives in the Mount Kumgang area, restoring the facilities to this end, as soon as possible.

Second, the north and the south agreed to discuss and settle the issue of online meetings and exchange of video messages between separated families and their relatives on a priority basis through Red Cross talks.

4. The north and the south decided to actively promote cooperation and exchanges in various fields so as to encourage the atmosphere of reconciliation and unity and demonstrate at home and abroad the resilience of the Korean nation.

First, the north and the south agreed to further boost exchanges in the fields of culture and arts and to ensure, above all, the Pyongyang art troupe’s performance in Seoul in October.

Second, the north and the south agreed to make active joint advance in international games, including the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, and to cooperate to win a joint bid to host the 2032 Summer Olympics.

Third, the north and the south agreed to hold significant events to meaningfully commemorate the 11th anniversary of the October 4th Declaration, jointly commemorate the centenary of the March 1st Popular Uprising, and discuss technical plans for these.

5. The north and the south share the view that the Korean Peninsula should be turned into a peace zone free of nuclear weapons and nuclear threat, and necessary practical progress should be made as early as possible to this end.

First, the north side has decided to permanently shut down the Tongchang-ri engine test ground and rocket launch pad, with the participation of experts from related countries. Second, the north side expressed its willingness to take additional steps, such as the permanent shutdown of the Nyongbyon nuclear facility, if the United States takes corresponding steps in line with the spirit of the June 12 DPRK-U.S. joint statement.

Third, the north and the south agreed to closely cooperate in the course of pushing ahead with the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

6. Chairman of the State Affairs Commission Kim Jong Un agreed to visit Seoul in the near future at the invitation of President Moon Jae-in.

Kim Jong Un
Chairman, State Affairs Commission, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Moon Jae-in 
President, Republic of Korea

September 19, 2018

(www.naenara.com.kp

Solidarity for Venezuelan people

by justpeace87

Event of Hugo Chavez People’s Defense Front: meet and talk with Venezuelan Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs for North America, Carlos Ron, at Dogwood Centre (706 Clark Street in Vancouver, BC) at 7pm on November 1.

Let us together support initiatives of the Bolivarian Movement in Venezuela and the progress being achieved. Let us together oppose the unjust attacks on the legitimately elected and re-elected government representing the majority of the people in Venezuela and the Bolivarian causes. Unite to oppose the unjust sanctions causing hardship to the Venezuelan people and military encirclement that threatens Venezuelan people and peace in Latin American. See the attached notices. Endorsed by the Just Peace Committee.

RECENT STATEMENT

During the 73rd United Nations General Assembly at the end of September the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro stated how the people of Venezuela are being harassed and attacked in the economic, political, and diplomatic spheres, and facing “permanent aggression by the media.”

This is the reality of the U.S.-led, Canada supported campaign, to overthrow the democratically-elected government of Venezuela. Under crippling U.S./Canada/EU sanctions, the people of Venezuela are continuously punished for their decision to build an independent country and continue to expand the Bolivarian revolutionary process.

The same week as the United Nations General Assembly, U.S. President Trump announced further sanctions against Venezuela. The government of Canada also announced that they would be working with their right-wing counter-revolutionary allies to take the government of Venezuela to the International Criminal Court.

It is the U.S. government and their allies like Canada that should be condemned as war criminals. These governments are attempting to bring the people of Venezuela to their knees, by denying them food, medicines and basic goods, and through their funding and support for Venezuela’s violent opposition.

As people living in Canada, we have the responsibility to join with the people of Venezuela in their struggle against imperialist intervention!

> U.S. AND CANADA RESPECT THE SOVEREIGNTY & SELF-DETERMINATION OF THE VENEZUELAN PEOPLE!
> NO TO REGIME CHANGE IN VENEZUELA!
> NO TO SANCTIONS & THREATS AGAINST VENEZUELA!

___

Durante la 73ª Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas a fines de septiembre, el presidente de Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, declaró cómo el pueblo de Venezuela está siendo hostigado y atacado en los ámbitos económico, político y diplomático, y se enfrenta a la “campaña política y mediática que parece no tener fin.”

Esta es la realidad de la campaña liderada por Estados Unidos y apoyada por Canadá para derrocar al gobierno de Venezuela elegido democráticamente. Bajo las severas sanciones de los EE.UU./Canadá/EU, el pueblo de Venezuela es castigado continuamente por su decisión de construir un país independiente y continuar expandiendo el proceso revolucionario bolivariano.

La misma semana que la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas, el presidente Trump de los Estados Unidos anunció nuevas sanciones contra Venezuela. El gobierno de Canadá también anunció que trabajaría con sus aliados contrarrevolucionarios de derecha para llevar al gobierno de Venezuela a la Corte Penal Internacional.

Es el gobierno de los Estados Unidos y sus aliados como Canadá los que deben ser condenados como criminales de guerra. Estos gobiernos intentan poner de rodillas al pueblo de Venezuela, negándoles alimentos, medicamentos y productos básicos, y financiando y apoyando a la oposición violenta de Venezuela.

¡Como personas que viven en Canadá, tenemos la responsabilidad de unirnos con el pueblo de Venezuela en su lucha contra la intervención imperialista!

> ¡NO A LAS SANCIONES Y AMENAZAS CONTRA VENEZUELA!
> ¡NO AL CAMBIO DE RÉGIMEN EN VENEZUELA!
> ¡EE.UU. & CANADA RESPETE LA SOBERANÍA Y AUTODETERMINACIÓN DEL PUEBLO VENEZOLANO!

Speech to Remember Hiroshima

by justpeace87

(For the Just Peace Committee rally at Seaforth Park Peace Flame in Vancouver on August 6, 2018.)

NO MORE HIROSHIMAS!

Welcome. Thank you for taking the time out to mark this important anniversary and help build a united anti-war movement in Vancouver. In BC, this is a holiday weekend full of celebrations, but it is a sad day in Japan, a country still reeling from the shock of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima 73 years ago—a day to mourn and continue to oppose the misuses of nuclear technology and imperialist war.

The Just Peace Committee formed in May this year because the peace movement is too quiet. We need too stimulate anti-war activity and bring people together to oppose militarization and aggression. We understand that the main cause for much of the violence, injustice and pain today is the system of monopoly capitalism. To oppose war, we must also oppose the main motive and modus operandi of military activity which is to defend the exploiting, oppressive and expansionist system of imperialism for the benefit of a few powerful and extremely wealthy few. For that reason, we joined the International League of People’s Struggle, an anti-imperialist alliance of mass struggles on a range of concerns around the world.

We were surprised to discover that no other commemoration of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was being planned in the Lower Mainland. We felt we must organize an event to mark the day and pledge to oppose war and militarization.

Hiroshima was an industrial city of 350,000 people in 1945. There were 20,000 Japanese military personnel, 30,000 Korean forced laborers and other foreigners including US citizens. The US a-bomb hit at 8:15 on the morning of August 6, 1945. Nagasaki was an industrial city where machinery and armaments were being manufactured. Only 150 Japanese military personnel were there when a US a-bomb hit Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. At least 129,000 people in both cities, mostly civilians were murdered en masse within fourdays after the first bomb destroyed Hiroshima; some reports cite over 200,000. At least 210,000, possibly many more, perished by the end of 1945 as a direct result of the nuclear blasts. The impact flattened an area of about one kilometre but fires spread some 3.5 km in Nagasaki and 4.5 km in Hiroshima. There was barely any warning beforehand. Let us have a few moments of silence in memory of the victims.

Why did the US drop the atomic bombs on Japan? There is no good reason. The Japanese military was already greatly weakened. The allied air raids had razed up to 97% of many of Japan’s cities including Tokyo. The people were suffering a food and water shortage, homelessness, injury and sickness.

History tells us that the UK and US had made an agreement to develop nuclear weapons at a meeting of W. Churchill and T. Roosevelt in Quebec City in 1943. The US was experimenting and tested the atomic bomb on July 17, 1945, the famous Manhatten Project. The plans to drop a bomb on Japan were in the works for months, and Hiroshima was finally chosen. A third bomb was scheduled to be dropped on Japan on August 19, 1945, but the Japanese surrendered on August 15.

In short, dropping the bomb on Hiroshima was a test of war technology, not a military tactic deemed necessary. Historians also consider the politics of the US as a rising big power: dropping the bombs was a show of power and superiority over the Japanese military and Japanese imperialist state. The US assumed military control of Japan in 1945 and has never left. It subjugated Japan to its economy and aims.

Let us be clear that Japanese imperialism committed many atrocities and injustices prior to its surrender in 1945. It occupied many nations such as Korea, using torture, prisons and murder to maintain control. It stormed into cities in China, the worst example being Nanking, where it pillaged, ran amok raping and murdering civilians and set fires. These are inexcusable acts that also must be strongly condemned. The memory of these horrendous truths most also be preserved and retold. We oppose Japanese imperialism of yesterday and today.

Imperialism is continuing problem of humankind. Acts of military aggression, occupation and militarism still go on and the people must organize to oppose them and put an end to them. Nuclear weapons still exist and the people must speak out against them. The US has 6,700 nuclear warheads, Russia 7,000, France 300 and the UK 215. Other countries such as India and the DPRK have developed and tested them. Some resurgence of the international, anti-nuclear movement brought about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons which only some smaller member states of the United Nations, some in Latin America, Southeast Asia and elsewhere signed on July 7, 2017. None of the big powers have signed.

Let us not dismiss Canada’s part in nuclear weapons use and imperialist war. Canada has not signed the 2017 Treaty. In the 1960s and 70s, the Canadian state stored some US nuclear warheads. In the 1980s, it transported some for NATO in Europe. All along, it has been supplying uranium to the US Atomic Commission and now it is looking forward to shipping uranium to China. Finally, Canada is a deeply committed party to NATO and partner to the US. Canada’s defense spending continues to rise. Canada’s defense policy is aggressive, pledging and encouraging active military engagement. In fact, the J. Trudeau government is sending Canadian troops to Central and Eastern Europe and to Iraq.

A Hiroshima survivor and now a Canadian citizen, Ms Setsuko Thurlow, has been campaigning for the reduction of nuclear weaponry. She has been asking for a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who declines to meet her. She wants to talk to him about a plan to get NATO to reduce its deployment of nuclear weapons.

I have visited Hiroshima memorial monuments and hall twice, and those at Nagasaki once while living in South Korea. I made a proposal to the Korea and Japan chapters of the Asia-Wide Campaign against Domination and Aggression that an anti-war tour be organized in August of 2014. It was done in the name of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle. I participated for a foreign teachers support network, TEA-KOR, and I invited an anti-nuclear technology activist from the USA. The T-shirt I am wearing for our 2018 memorial today says, “Sam Pyeong Village -Peace.” It is a memento from the peace tour. We stayed overnight at the protest camp in Sam Pyeong Village. Villagers including several grandmothers had been sitting and blockading the construction of power lines from the nuclear power plant on the East coast through the countryside. Two villages, Sam Pyeong and Miryang, were opposing the power lines construction. We camped overnight, then went to the Gori Nuclear Power Plant, which supplies electrical power to two free economic, industrial zones as well as the big port of Busan in southeastern South Korea. From there, we traveled to Hiroshima in time to witness the remembrance ceremony and meet comrades at anti-war actions. We listened to survivors of the Hiroshima bombing and paid tribute at the memorial monuments. They teach harsh lessons that must be remembered and passed on. The tour continued to the US naval base at Iwakuni. It is being expanded with the blessing of Prime Minister Abe and his cabinet, who has approved the construction of new US bases in the Okinawa area, and the building of more nuclear power plants, one on the outskirts of Hiroshima and another on Kyushu Island province. The Japan state has reverted to an aggressive stance, sending its navy abroad to join in the war exercises with the US and the Republic of Korea, among other activities. We spoke to the town’s activists. From there, we went to join in the anti-war march and memorial ceremonies in Nagasaki. After that tour, I wanted to do more work for peace against imperialist aggression and militarization.

My activism began in the early 80s opposing the Cruise Missile tests over Canada, nuclear weaponry and US aggressions in Latin America and elsewhere. The peace movement, dominated by the anti-nuclear weapons message at the time, was very big and influential. There used to be huge, annual peace walks that started from here, at this park and neighboring areas, filed across the Burrard Bridge and through downtown Vancouver. At its peak, 120,000 people gathered and walked. I also partook in the Vancouver Peace Flotilla, a collection of peace activists with boats who sailed in the Burrard Inlet to confront US warships coming to lay anchor in the Port of Vancouver. Through all this work, the City of Vancouver banned nuclear weapons and therefore banned visits by US warships. It also named the Peace Park and supported the installation of the Peace Flame.

Things are different now. The flame is no longer burning and few people are here to remember Hiroshima and oppose war today. Yet the world is in urgent need for a united mass movement to rise up against wars of aggression and militarization. Nowadays we note a return to Cold War attitudes and politics. The world is rife with tensions. The big powers continue to interfere in the domestic disputes and politics of many countries. It is a dangerous situation crying out for an active mass movement against war and imperialism. To sustain such a movement over the long term and do what is necessary to affect a reduction of aggression and militarization, we need the anti-imperialist orientation and strong unity around it.

We need to do our part in this region to build a peace movement. We have to propagate and defend the perspective of peace with social justice and understand the violent and unjust context of the global capitalist system, the cause of so much conflict and pain. This is the purpose of the Just Peace Committee.

Slogans and chants on the occasion of the August 6 memorial rally:

NO MORE HIROSHIMAS!
NO MORE NUCLEAR WEAPONS!
NO TO WAR AND PLUNDER!
JUST PEACE NOW!
JUST PEACE IN KOREA!
JUST PEACE IN PALESTINE!
JUST PEACE IN THE PHILIPPINES!
JUST PEACE IN YEMEN!
BAN THE BASES!
SEND THE TROOPS HOME NOW!
CANADA OUT OF NATO!
SIGN THE PEACE TREATY IN KOREA!
WE’RE GONNA STOP THE US WAR MACHINE, FROM PALESTINE TO THE PHILIPPINES!