Hands Off Venezuela

Hands Off Venezuela joined in the 100,000 strong march that last Saturday, August 5, filled the streets of London with angry demonstrators who, disgusted at the murdering brutality of the Israeli government, demanded an immediate ceasefire.

There were moments of tension when the march arrived at Downing Street. Feelings were running high and the sight of Mr Blair's residence did not help to keep them down. A huge, deafening jeer came out of the multitude and, in reference to the thousands of children who are suffering the heaviest blows in this war, people threw children's shoes at Downing Street. At one moment it seemed as if it was to be stormed and fear and nervousness was obvious in the faces of the police guarding the Prime Minister's residence.

Once the speeches had finished and the main bulk of people was clearing up, The Police responded with violence and harrassed a single protester in front of Downing Street.

On stage, at least four speakers mentioned Venezuela's anti-imperialist stance and praised its President, Hugo Chávez Frías, for standing by those oppressed by imperialism.

Hands Off Venezuela set up a stall with different material (books, DVD's, CD's and magazines)  at Speakers Corner in Hyde Park and later another one at Parliament Square, where we were visited by Bush and Blair and their muse Death.

The following day, Sunday August 6, Hands off Venezuela was also present at the Carnaval del Pueblo, the biggest Latin American festival in Europe. A very successful stall was run from early in the afternoon till late in the evening. A constant flow of people came through to our stall, which ran out of material. Amongst them there were some Venezuelans who expressed their amazement at the quality and variety of the material at the stall and thanked us for our work in support of the Bolivarian Revolution.

More pictures in this photo gallery