Venezuela Protests Go Global: Hundreds Gather In Florida To Support Home Country [SEE PHOTOS]
A non-profit organization called Un Mundo Sin Mordaza, or A World Without Censure, called for mass demonstrations and marches around the world to show support for Venezuela. Today, that became a reality thanks to social media, which made communications between the organization and various groups all over the world easier. According to the non-profits website, which can be found here, more than 150 cities all over the world will show their support.
The event, called SOS Venezuela, has prompted many to take to the streets today, Feb. 22, dressed in white and brandishing the tricolor of the Venezuelan flag. Rodrigo Diamanti, president of Un Mundo Sin Mordaza, said, "The criminalization of protests by state security forces against citizens, who have peacefully gone to the streets to protest, violating their Right to Protest and leaving wounded, dead, missing and political prisoners in their wake; and the constant violation of Free Speech and the Right to Information in Venezuela have made us activate our networks and launch 'SOS Venezuela.'"
Meanwhile, the streets of Caracas and other Venezuelan cities saw more mass protests by both factions. Opposition leader Henrique Capriles called for marches to demonstrate against the violence by security forces, according to Yahoo News. President Maduro has called for his own supporters to counterprotest as well. However, the international show of support for the opposition has begun to shed more light unto the struggle happening in Venezuela.
Among the various cities around the world and the United States showing support for Venezuela was Doral, FL close to Miami. Hundreds met at J.C. Bermudez Park, according to the Miami Herald. Romina Farfan, a Venezuelan-American living in Florida, attended with her mother and cousin to show their support. "The march was beautiful and peaceful with many families with children," she said to Latin Post. "What was strange was that no one was happy but instead sadness and frustration reigned. Many people here have hope while others think it'll stay the same."
She described how people sang the Venezuelan national anthem and other Venezuelan songs together and "felt a type of hope." They all joined hands together and, like what SOS Venezuela event asked, formed a human-made SOS on the park. Farfan adds, "When I saw my people together, I sort of fell into what was happening, and I wanted to cry." While praying and singing together, brandishing the red, yellow and blue of Venezuela, people started yelling, "Pa' lante, Venezuela! Estamos con ustedes!"