Key Takeaways
- Three people, including former Wellington mayoral candidate Graham Bloxham, were arrested at a Venezuela solidarity protest in Wellington
- The protest was against the US military action in Venezuela and called for the New Zealand government to take a stronger stance
- The New Zealand government has been criticized for its response to the situation, with Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters expressing concern but not taking a stronger stance
- The US involvement in Venezuela has been criticized as being contrary to international law and motivated by a desire to control the country’s oil resources
- The protest was not universally supported, with some counter-protesters arguing that the protesters were supporting a violent dictatorship
Introduction to the Protest
The Venezuela solidarity protest in Wellington was a significant event that drew attention to the US military action in the country. The protest, which was attended by around 100 people, was held outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Lambton Quay. The protesters were calling for the New Zealand government to take a stronger stance against the US military intervention in Venezuela. The event was marked by a scuffle between former Wellington mayoral candidate Graham Bloxham and two protesters, which resulted in the arrest of all three individuals.
The Arrest of Graham Bloxham
Graham Bloxham, who was attempting to film the protest, was seen scuffling with two protesters. The incident led to the arrest of all three individuals, who were taken away in a police van. Bloxham, who runs the Facebook page WellingtonLive, has faced controversy in the past, including being arrested for failing to stop for police and being told to pay a former employee $30,000. His charges for failing to stop for police were dismissed, and he has also posted on social media about being the victim of an unprovoked assault in Oriental Bay. The motivations behind Bloxham’s actions at the protest are unclear, and it is unknown what sparked the scuffle.
The Protest Against US Military Action
The protest was organized by Peace Action Wellington, which is a group that advocates for peace and social justice. The group’s spokesperson, Valerie Morse, stated that the US involvement in Venezuela was contrary to international law and that the New Zealand government’s response had been "pathetic". Morse argued that the New Zealand government is concerned about its relationship with Washington and does not want to antagonize the US. Eduardo Salazar Moreira, a protester from Peru, also spoke out against the US intervention, stating that it was motivated by a desire to control Venezuela’s oil resources. He argued that New Zealand has a voice on the global stage and should use it to speak out against the US intervention.
Counter-Protesters and Their Views
A small number of counter-protesters were also present at the event, including Nathalie Wierdak, who is from Venezuela. Wierdak disagreed with the protesters, particularly those who had signs calling for the release of President Nicolás Maduro. She argued that Maduro is a criminal who has committed human rights violations and that the protesters should have talked to people from Venezuela before deciding to rally. Morse responded to Wierdak’s comments, stating that the protest was not pro-Maduro and that the group is not in favor of a violent dictatorship. She argued that the US involvement in Venezuela is unlikely to deliver freedom and democracy for the people of Venezuela and will instead lead to more hardship.
Conclusion and Aftermath
The protest and counter-protest highlighted the complexity of the issue and the different perspectives on the US military intervention in Venezuela. While the protesters were calling for the New Zealand government to take a stronger stance against the US intervention, the counter-protesters argued that the protesters were supporting a violent dictatorship. The incident also raised questions about the role of the media and the responsibility of those who report on events to provide accurate and balanced information. In the end, the protest and counter-protest were marked by a sense of civility, with protesters and counter-protesters speaking to each other following the rally’s dissolution. The event highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue and discussion about the issues surrounding the US military intervention in Venezuela.