Successful HOV Meeting in Cork

cork | anti-capitalism | news report Thursday February 12, 2009 16:22 by Cork HOV - Hands Off Venezuela

Hands off Venezuela (HOV) held a highly successful public meeting in the Victoria Hotel In Cork on Wednesday February 11. The meeting posed the question : The venezuelan Revolution: An Alternative to the Capitalist Crisis? Francesco Merli of the HOV international campaign, addressed the meeting.

Hands off Venezuela (HOV) held a highly successful public meeting in the Victoria Hotel In Cork on Wednesday February 11. The meeting posed the question : The venezuelan Revolution: An Alternative to the Capitalist Crisis? Francesco Merli of the HOV international campaign, addressed the meeting.

A crowd of approximately 30 people, avoided the temptations of the Ireland V Georgia soccer match, to attend the talk, the first meeting held by HOV in Cork. Francesco outlined the history and events leading to the beginning of the Venezuelan revolution, as well as the roots of the popular support for Hugo Chavez and an overview of the current situation, including the recent murders of two Mitsubishi Workers in the anzoategui region. Francesco also moved to dismiss the increasingly vitriolic and irrational attacks of the global media, on the revolutionary movement in Venezuela. He also stressed the importance of a yes vote in the upcoming referendum on the removal of term limits, falsely painted by the media as an attempt by Chavez to be leader for life.

A lively debate ensued among the 30 or so people present, which included some native venezuelans who were hostile to the government. As a consequence of the meeting and the good level of interest expressed by audience members, the process of formally establishing a Cork Branch of HOV has begun in earnest. It is hoped to orgqanise a number of other HOV events in Cork throughout the year and further information on same will be posted when available.