Protesters March On White House To Decry US Seizure Of Venezuelan Embassy
Sumaira FH Published May 19, 2019 | 02:50 AM
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th May, 2019) Up to 200 people gathered in Washington on Saturday to protest the US government's seizure of the Venezuelan embassy and the arrest of four activists who resided in the diplomatic facility as guests of the Venezuelan government, a Sputnik corresponded reported from the scene.
The protesters initially gathered in front of the Venezuelan embassy and then marched on the White House, where several speakers reiterated the US government's actions to breach the embassy of a sovereign nation are in violation of international law and represent a dangerous precedent that puts at risk all diplomatic facilities worldwide, including those of the United States.
"We are here today in front the White House, where we marched from the Venezuelan embassy, to let [US President] Donald Trump ... and [self-proclaimed interim President] Juan Guaido know that we are not giving up this fight," Adrienne Pine, one of the four arrested activists who were freed of Friday, told Sputnik. "We may not be able to be in the embassy as we have a stay away order for 100 feet. But we will continue fighting with all our solidarity, strength and love to ensure that the United States does not carry yet another coup in Latin America."
The Sputnik correspondent reported some 20 Metropolitan Police officers in uniform and several in plain clothes were present at the Venezuelan embassy, which remains to be sealed off with double metal barricades. The police blocked off traffic for the marchers to proceed to the White House.
The march was peaceful at all times with a minor exception of an attempt by Venezuelan opposition supporters' to disrupt some of the marchers who were providing flyers to the public at Washington Circle.
Kevin Zeese, another arrested activist who was freed on Friday, told Sputnik while the internal protection of the embassy has ended, the campaign to stop the US coup in Venezuela and stop US imperialism more broadly has only just begun.
"You will see tremendous escalation in this movement and growth of this movement," Zeese said. "By the fall, this will be an issue that no one can avoid, no one can be on the wrong side of. Anyone running for office will have to say no to the US coup and no to US imperialism."
On Thursday, US Secret Service and State Department security arrested Margaret Flowers, Kevin Zeese, Adrienne Pine and David Paul after forcing their way into the Venezuelan embassy. The activists had been residing there for nearly a month as guests of the Venezuelan government to protect the facility from being taken over by the US government and opposition leader Juan Guaido's representatives.
The US government had previously ordered all Venezuelan diplomatic personnel to leave by April 24.
On Friday, a US judge ordered the release of the four activists on the condition that they do not approach within 100 feet Venezuela's diplomatic facilities, report to the court weekly and do not travel abroad without permission.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Under training officers visit Special Branch Headquarters Roberts Club
Industries promotion can help eliminate unemployment : Sindh Minister for Indus ..
Step afoot to ensure durable peace in Balochistan: Ziuallah
PML-N office torching cases: ATC summons PTI leaders, others for indictment on M ..
Oman, UAE deluge 'most likely' linked to climate change: scientists
CRBC tender to be floated by June; Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Ali ..
122 cases registered against accused involved in drug trafficking
Models, poster and quiz competition held at AIOU
Passco GM, deputy visit wheat procurement centers in Burewala
Non-Muslim Pakistanis enjoy freedom, state patronage: Kundi
Dengue Control Committee gathers in Jhang
BHP launches $38.8 billion takeover bid for rival Anglo American
More Stories From World
-
Oman, UAE deluge 'most likely' linked to climate change: scientists
13 minutes ago -
BHP launches $38.8 billion takeover bid for rival Anglo American
23 minutes ago -
Saudi oil giant Aramco agrees major FIFA sponsorship deal
23 minutes ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
23 minutes ago -
Haiti transitional council sworn in after months of violence
1 hour ago -
Ukrainian village battles mines year after Russia forced out
1 hour ago
-
China's Shenzhou-18 mission takes off bound for space station
1 hour ago -
Thousands of flights scrapped as French air traffic controllers strike
1 hour ago -
India's IndiGo to buy 30 A350 planes: Airbus
1 hour ago -
Scottish leader scraps coalition deal with Greens
1 hour ago -
Paris landmark Moulin Rouge's windmill sails collapse
2 hours ago -
155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains lash East Africa
2 hours ago