Hands Off Venezuela Campaign- http://www.handsoffvenezuela.org


Hands off Venezuela – Easter Marches in Germany
 
The traditional Easter Marches of the peace movement took place over the past week in Germany.

Demonstrators met and called for the withdrawal of German troops from Afghanistan, for Germany's exit from NATO, and against the Agenda 2010. There were 12 speakers at the demonstration in Wiesbaden, one of which was Hans-Gerd Öffinger, vice regional Chairman of the trade union Ver.di, and editor of the Marxist journal Der Dunke who spoke on the situation in Venezuela.

The German Marxists of Der Funke participated in the events in Wiesbaden and Frankfurt with a bookstall selling Marxist literature and collecting signatures for the Hands off Venezuela Campaign.

Hans-Gerd Öffinger spoke at the demonstration in Wiesbaden about US imperialism in Iraq and how the Bush administration is following the dictates of the oil industry.

A lot of his speech was devoted to the situation in Venezuela, one of the world's major exporters of oil, and consequently an important country for the interests of US imperialism. US imperialism has interfered directly in Iraq and they have also been interfering in a more indirect manner in Venezuela and have thus far been involved in organizing two attempted coup d'etats against President Chavez. This explains the assertions from the Bush administration that President Hugo Chavez supports guerillas and terrorists in Colombia and explains the interference of US imperialism in the country as a possible excuse for further intervention. The assertion that Chavez supports terrorists is a complete lie and fabrication – like the fairy tale of the danger of the Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq.

The working class must struggle against imperialism everywhere. The methods of imperialism can also be seen in Germany. Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Agenda 2010 can be seen as "declaration of war against the German people" and must fought against, as we must struggle against imperialism in Iraq and Venezuela. Policies like the Agenda 2010 show that the foreign policy is the continuation of the policy at home.

Hans-Gerd Öffinger's speech was well received and found an echo in the press, getting mention in the largest local paper. This is not an accident but reflects the growing mood of anger among the working class and youth against imperialism the world over.