Social Movements of Venezuela in Solidarity With the Embassy Protection Collective in Washington
A significant number of social movements and groups in Venezuela issued a statement on Wednesday in support of the protection
Embassy Protection Collective
Pro-Coup, Pro-U.S. Military Intervention Pan-Americans Surround Venezuelan Embassy, Commit Acts Of Abuse And Assault
Washington, DC - On April 10, the day after the Organization of American States (OAS) changed its rules in order to recognize coup-leader Juan Guaido as president of Venezuela, local activists sought and secured permission to live and work in the Venezuelan embassy in Georgetown to prevent its handover to coup supporters. The goal is to hold the space until Venezuela can negotiate a third country to serve as a protecting power.
Until April 30, the activists, calling themselves the Embassy Protection Collective (ColectivosPorLaPaz), worked from the embassy during the day and held public educational and cultural events in the evening. The events covered a variety of U.S. foreign policy issues from intervention in Latin America, to Iran to an inside look at CIA-led regime change efforts. Members and supporters were free to come and go from the embassy.
Embassy Protection Collective: We’re Still Here And We’re Staying
The Embassy Protection Collective began on April 10, the day after the Trump administration manipulated the Organization of American States (OAS) to change the rules so they could recognize their puppet, Juan Guaido, as president of Venezuela. The OAS could not get the required two-thirds vote to recognize a government so they changed the rules to a mere majority and barely got that. By then, the US had allowed their Guaido coup forces to take the Venezuelan military attaché building in Washington, DC and their diplomatic building in New York City.
The Trump administration has allowed extreme violent right-wing Guaido supporters to blockade the building, but in the last week we had a series of victories over those forces.
Cinco De Mayo Statement
From inside the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, DC, 5 of May, 2019.
As people from the United States, members of The Embassy Protection Collective have been fulfilling our trust as a temporary protectorate of the Embassy of Venezuela, located in Washington DC, for the past several weeks. We are holding strong despite being surrounded by hostile forces working with the United States Government and right-wing forces in Latin America to overthrow the duly-elected and internationally-recognized Venezuelan Government, ruin its economy, and steal its resources.
On this Cinco de Mayo, an anti-imperialist anniversary, we stand in solidarity with Anti-Imperialist and Indigenous Struggles around the World.
I Was Arrested For Sharing Bread
As part of the Embassy Protection Collective, I've been staying inside the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington D.C. to protect it from takeover by Trump's coup collaborators. On Thursday, I came out to replenish food supplies, but was arrested as I tried to get the bread, salad greens, and other food back inside. Right-wing pro-Guaidó/Trump supporters blocked the doors. Rather than helping me get food to people legally inside the embassy, the police arrested me. I am charged with "throwing missiles." I am not kidding. A U.S.-backed coup in Venezuela would only serve the interests of the U.S. and Venezuelan elite who stand to profit by taking over a country with the largest oil reserves in the world. We must prevent unnecessary bloodshed and suffering in Venezuela.
Standoff Escalates At Venezuela Embassy
Washington DC Activists protecting the Venezuela Embassy from a takeover continue blocking pro-Guaido opposition from entering the building in Georgetown. As of Friday afternoon, activists were standing firm and still in control of the embassy. They are standing in for Venezuelan diplomats already forced to leave the U.S. and that has frustrated the pro-Guaido opposition while delaying Trump Administration efforts to build international consensus against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
There are still 20 activists in the embassy who have wittingly inserted themselves as a lynchpin in a broader international struggle over the future of Venezuela.
Surround The Venezuelan Embassy With Love And Resistance
Come to Washington, DC starting on Saturday, May 4 at 1:00 pm to set up a permanent presence of love and resistance in solidarity with the Embassy Protectors who are inside the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, DC. We will set up a pop-up tent across the street from the front of the embassy at 1099 30th St., NW.
We are asking our allies to surround the embassy with love and resistance to quell the hatred and violence coming from occupying right-wing extremists. Bring supplies for the protectors such as coffee, food, hygiene and cleaning products, socks and T shirts. The right-wing extremists are preventing supplies from getting into the embassy. Contact info@popularresistance.org if you are bringing supplies or CODEPINK or the ANSWER Coalition.
Embassy Protection Collective Responds To Tactics To Drive Us From The Embassy
Last night (May 3), it became evident to the Embassy Protection Collective that the Secret Service and State Department Police
If You Oppose US Imperialism, This Is The Place To Be
We are still writing to you from the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington, DC where we are here as the Embassy Protection Collective with the full permission of the Venezuelan government. We have the grave responsibility to hold this space from takeover by the opposition, which will happen with the assistance of US law enforcement, until the Venezuelan government can complete negotiations with the United States over the status of their respective embassies.
What hangs in the balance is the possibility of a peaceful and orderly resolution of the end of diplomatic relations, and perhaps an entry to further negotiations, or, an escalation of aggression between the United States and Venezuela...
Assault On The Venezuelan Embassy In Washington, A Test Of Fire For Multilateralism
Supported by the US State Department, the Venezuelan opposition has announced that it will take control of the Washington embassy this week. Immediately, a solidarity group met at the embassy and made a declaration based on the rights and sovereignty of Venezuela under the Vienna Convention. It has been signed by almost a thousand people in just a few days.
Allies of Venezuela Defend Washington, DC Embassy
The People’s Embassy Protection Collective at the Venezuela Embassy grew to as many as 150 people as more activists arrived from around the country. They continue to stand firm against a possible Secret Service intrusion to take over the building. Meanwhile, outside the embassy Secret Service wait in police vehicles, while several officers have been standing watch. Organizers have strung giant banners from the top floors of the embassy. One banner reads, “Stop The US Coup,” and another reads, “No War For Oil,” while another banner was painted with a giant image of the eyes of former President Chavez looking towards the north.
All Out This Weekend: People’s Mobilization To Protect The Venezuelan Embassy
We are calling for a full mobilization of all people of conscience to join us on Saturday, April 27 at 2:00 p.m. at the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C. We urgently request that all who can stay overnight on Saturday and/or all or part of Sunday.
The powerful mobilization of people across the country who came together at the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C. Wednesday and Thursday has prevented the take over of the embassy by the Trump administration and their fraudulent puppet government. People power can stop the illegal actions of the Trump administration. Join this mobilization, share this message and urge others to join us at the embassy in Georgetown in Washington, DC, 1099 20th Street, NW.
Activists Remain In Venezuelan Embassy With Gratitude From Foreign Ministry
Washington, DC - Thursday, April 25, the day activists anticipated the Secret Service might evict them from the Venezuelan embassy, turned into a day of growing support for and attention to the embassy protection efforts. Activists are making it clear that they are in the embassy with the permission of the foreign ministry. In fact, on Wednesday night, Carlos Ron, the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs for Venezuela, sent a video message to the protectors:
"Hello everyone. My name is Carlos Ron. I’m Vice Minister for Foreign Relations for Venezuela. We want to first of all, thank you all for standing up for international law, for the well-being of the Venezuela embassy in Washington.
Venezuelan Embassy Stands Strong; Activist-Tenants Vow To Resist Illegal Eviction
People from all over the United States came to Washington, D.C. and joined together last night at the Venezuelan Embassy in a powerful demonstration of solidarity with the people of Venezuela. While banners were hung from outside the windows of the Embassy, people held a night of political education and tactical discussions. The ongoing Embassy Protection Collective continues to prevent the U.S. government from illegally seizing the Embassy of Venezuela in Washington, D.C.