HOUSTON - Almost 200 progressives here celebrated South American
liberator Simon Bolivar's birthday, July 24. Bolivar was born on that
day in 1783. Similar celebrations were held in more than 100 cities in
the United States and around the world.
Bolivar is considered one of the continent's greatest generals and is
called the George Washington of South America. His victories over
Spanish colonialism won independence for Bolivia, Panama, Colombia,
Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. He is also called El Liberator (The Liberator).
The program honored Bolivar along with present day fighters for
liberation and against imperialism, including Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez. Venezuela's official name is the Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela, having changed it after Chavez's 1998 election and the launch
of the Bolivarian Revolution.
Speakers included a representative of Venezuela's consulate general, along with local union, peace and civil rights activists.
The Venezuelan speaker explained the country's revolution and how the
poor and working masses were taking back their country from the
capitalists bit by bit. He talked of the up coming elections and how
important it was to the lives of the poor and oppressed.
We heard of struggles past and present against tyranny both here in Houston & in Venezuela.
Two activists who just came from a march to raise the minimum wage
told the crowd more than 1,000 union members and supporters turned out.
In addition, despite arrests the striking janitors of the Service Employee Union continues with daily support marches.
It made me think of how the U.S. struggle against the 1 percent was
the same as the people of Venezuela and of all working people of the
entire world.
It was an inspiring day, and the organizers did a terrific job.
--Mark Simpon
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