PRESS RELEASE - Latin American Solidarity Committee

Venezuelan Charge d'Affaires for New Zealand in Wellington this weekend.

Nelson Davila, Venezuelan Charge d'Affaires for New Zealand, Australia and Fiji is having a public meeting at Newtown Community Centre on Saturday 15th March, at 8.30pm. Latin American Committee President Paul Bruce says this is a unique opportunity for ordinary Wellingtonians to find out first-hand what is happening in Venezuela.

Senor Davila’s diplomatic credentials resonate with New Zealand’s international reputation for upholding human rights, and our efforts on the world stage to build a fairer, safer, and better world.

In common with many kiwis, Nelson’s history includes student and indigenous rights activism. Similar to some, he also has first-hand experience in the military - but his is of resistance to, rather than collusion with, one of the most notorious periods of United States interventionist foreign policy.

Now representing his country at the forefront of Latin American grass-roots self-determination, Nelson Davila will be on hand to introduce the first NZ screening of the independent documentary "No Volveran: The Venezuelan Revolution Now."

This 2007 feature length documentary by Venezuelan film company Altered States introduces many of Venezuela’s key revolutionary figures and the mass movement behind them, as they say “No!” to capitalism, and instead build the socialism of the 21st century.

The film takes us deep into the barrios, out to the factories, and into the heart of the revolution to discover the roots of this transformational movement. You will meet the people who are fighting for power in their communities and taking control of their work places, such as the factory workers of Sanitarios Maracay and their unprecedented campaign for full nationalisation under workers' control.

In addition to answering questions from the audience, Nelson will also talk about:

• The recent formation of the 5 million strong United Socialist Party of Venezuela in response to President Chavez's call for "socialism of the 21st century".
• The Chavez government's strong support for indigenous rights in Venezuela.
• The explosive growth of Communal Councils, which have the power to decide on local and regional priorities, along with receiving a huge chunk of state funding to implement their own grassroots plans.

Don’t wonder why Colombian President Uribe shook hands with Chavez and Ecuadorian President Correa last weekend rather than continue his Bush walk – come see and hear for yourselves why millions of Venezuelans are embracing the politics of inclusion, solidarity and mutual respect.

Not only Latin Americans can open their eyes, find their feet, and use their voices - you too can come, see, and question!!

Contact: Julie Webb-Pullman 021 026 25456

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