[fse-esf] Venezuela

[bretorp at telia.com]

>
>To the European Preparatory Assembly of the European Social Forum
>
>In the past years remarkable events have been taking place in Venezuela. 
>Millions upon millions of people have entered the political scene. For many 
it 
>is the first time that they have considered it meaningful to do more than to 
>put a piece of paper in a ballot box. They have been taking control over 
their 
>lives. As a result of this, Hugo Chavez has initiated reforms that have used 
>part of the oil wealth to eradicate illiteracy, redistribute land, and 
provide 
>further education and health care to poor people. 
>
>Venezuela is being discussed throughout the world and developments there 
have 
>helped bring to power left wing governments in Bolivia, Ecuador and 
Nicaragua. 
>Even in Europe there has been a tremendous interest, as witnessed by the 
Hands 
>Off Venezuela (HOV) campaigns success in getting support for the Venezuelan 
>revolution. HOV Austria organized a meeting of 4000 people to hear Chavez 
>speak. HOV Ireland convinced Irish Labour Youth to support the revolution. 
HOV 
>Belgium got the Belgian Trade Union Federation ABVV/FGTB to establish links 
>with the Venezuelan Trade Union Federation UNT. And after a year of patient 
>work by HOV Britain the TUC passed a resolution in support of the Venezuelan 
>revolution.
>
>However, time and time again the revolution has come under attack by the 
>Venezuelan oligarchs and US imperialism. It is of vital importance that 
>activists in Europe get a chance at the European Social Forum in Malmö to 
>discuss developments in Venezuela and how to defend the gains of the 
Venezuelan 
>revolution. We therefore suggest that Venezuela be an important theme at the 
>Forum and that we organize the following events.
>
>1. A debate about Socialism of the 21th century (including prominent left 
wing 
>intellectual such as Heinz Dietrich and Alan Woods).
>2. A showing of Non Volveran, feature length documentary about the 
Venezuelan 
>Revolution, with the film-makers participation.
>3. A meeting about factory occupations and workers control in Latin America 
>with the participation of a representative from an occupied factory. 
>4. A meeting about the Hands Off Venezuela campaign with Jorge Martin, HOV 
>international secretary
>
>Yours fraternally,
>
>Jonathan Clyne
>bretorp at telia.com
>0046707600508
>for
>HOV Sweden, HOV Denmark, HOV Finland, HOV Poland, HOV Germany, HOV Ireland, 
>HOV Belgium, HOV France, HOV Austria, HOV Switzerland, HOV Greece, HOV 
Italy, 
>HOV Spain
>  
>