For 1,160 workers of the Goodyear tire factory in Venezuela, the effects of the brutal U.S. sanctions on Venezuela have a direct impact on their livelihood. On December 10, 2018 Goodyear announced that they were closing down their tire production factory in Venezuela, in a statement saying “our goal had been to maintain its operations, but economic conditions and the U.S. sanctions have made this impossible.” In response the Venezuelan government has vowed to support the workers, and in a statement from the Maduro government declared that they would “begin all mechanisms to re-establish production”. These words have been consistently backed by action in previous cases of multinational corporations ceasing operations in Venezuela, as they are impacted by U.S. sanctions as well as perpetuate the U.S.-led economic war in Venezuela by laying off workers and cutting production.
On December 7 2018, Fire This Time’s Venezuela Solidarity Campaign came together with Venezuela solidarity activists and supporters to show their support for Venezuela’s Bolivarian Revolution in front of the U.S. Consulate in downtown Vancouver. In between rounds of picketing, speakers condemned the inhumane U.S. sanctions and economic war against Venezuela, and the dangerous U.S. government campaign of regime change in Venezuela. Protesters chanted and held up picket signs and banners demanding “U.S./Canada Hands Off Venezuela!” and “Self-Determination for Venezuela!” After this monthly action wrapped up, the protesters moved up to the busy downtown plaza in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery to setup an information table, where passersby stopped by to find out more information. Teams of activists collected signatures on a petition demanding Canada end its sanctions on Venezuela, calling attention to the role that the government of Canada has in the campaign against Venezuela.
The action came to a close with the next monthly action planned for January 4th – starting out 2019 strong in defense of Venezuela! To find out more about upcoming actions in solidarity with Venezuela go to www.firethistime.net or follow on Facebook or Twitter @FTT_np
Follow Janine on Twitter: @janinesolanki
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