Livingstone sabotages Chavez London rally

[justuname]

The planned rally for President Chavez of Venezuela this Sunday at the Queen Elizabeth Hall has been cancelled on the orders of Labour's Ken Livingstone and moved to a much smaller, as yet unnamed, venue in Camden. It's suddenly become a ticket-only affair, with no tickets available.

And of course in keeping with the anti-imperialist spirit of the rally banners are banned.

It's the ESF again...

 

[munkeeunit]

Livingstone

 

[Hocus Eye.]

So where did this bit of news come from then? I know that Livingstone would probably be infuriating Blair by inviting Chavez over in the first place and I wonder if Blair has put pressure on Ken to quieten down the event. Is the public meeting in the Friends Meeting House Euston still taking place on the 15th of May?

 

[Grego Morales]

What the fuck is going on?!? I've heard about four or five different venues, dates, and times plus numerous public/private arrangements for the meeeting(s) in the past week. Jesus. It's either complete incompetance, or as the OP suggests, sabbotage.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

I know where it is but I'm not telling (unless bribes of upwards of £20000 are forthcoming).

 

[janeb]

c&p from an email I got this morning if that helps

URGENT UPDATE FROM THE VENEZUELA
> INFORMATION CENTRE
>
> CHANGE OF DATE AND VENUE OF MEETING TO WELCOME
> PRESIDENT CHAVEZ TO LONDON
>
> President Chavez will now be speaking at a public
> meeting organised by the Greater London Authority
> in central London on SUNDAY 14 MAY at 3.00 P.M.
>
> The meeting arranged for Monday 15 May at 7.00 pm
> at Friends House, Euston Road, London is
> therefore cancelled.
>
> People are encouraged to attend the meeting on
> Sunday 14 May which is free.
> President Hugo Chavez will address the meeting
> hosted by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. We
> will send you details of the venue as soon as
> possible.
>
> People are required to register their names with
> the GLA or they will not be admitted. Places will
> be allocated on a first come first served basis.
> To register you must contact .
>
> anna.roberts@london.gov.uk or
> sandeep.sra@london.gov.uk
>
> We look forward to seeing you at the meeting

 

[Kid_Eternity]

What the fuck is going on?!? I've heard about four or five different venues, dates, and times plus numerous public/private arrangements for the meeeting(s) in the past week. Jesus. It's either complete imcompetance, or as the OP suggests, sabbotage.

I heard it's more to do with GLA being overly paranoid regarding security...

 

[justuname]

I heard it's more to do with GLA being overly paranoid regarding security...

That will be why they've moved the venue from the Queen Elizabeth Hall - next
to Parliament, surrounded by armed police - to the Camden Centre - erstwhile
home of the anarchist bookfair and schnews rallies - for 'security reasons'.

 

[rich!]

That will be why they've moved the venue from the Queen Elizabeth Hall - next
to Parliament, surrounded by armed police - to the Camden Centre - erstwhile
home of the anarchist bookfair and schnews rallies - for 'security reasons'.

The Americans know where one of those two places is. But if they try a surgical strike on the Camden Center, you just know that they'll nuke the Hawley Arms...

 

[Kid_Eternity]

That will be why they've moved the venue from the Queen Elizabeth Hall - next
to Parliament, surrounded by armed police - to the Camden Centre - erstwhile
home of the anarchist bookfair and schnews rallies - for 'security reasons'.

Not saying that's the case just what I heard...

 

[Streathamite]

The Americans know where one of those two places is. But if they try a surgical strike on the Camden Center, you just know that they'll nuke the Hawley Arms...

nah they'll prolly get euston and take out the Head Of Steam!
the camden centre's f-ing grotty....

 

[fela fan]

Why do people have to register to go listen to a politican? Is this kind of thing commonplace in england now?

 

[belboid]

tickets are available (for wherever it is) via Trade Unins or the Hands of Venezuela campaign, tho they aint got many, so you wont actually get one.

 

[Streathamite]

What the fuck is going on?!? I've heard about four or five different venues, dates, and times plus numerous public/private arrangements for the meeeting(s) in the past week. Jesus. It's either complete imcompetance, or as the OP suggests, sabbotage.

it's not the latter, because the chance for a bit of gladhanding with an impeccably right-on latin american lefty leader is the sort of thing ken would normally sell his partner and child for. he wants this meeting, bad.
It's very likely the former, if past GLA performance is any guide!

 

[Nigel Irritable]

it's not the latter, because the chance for a bit of gladhanding with an impeccably right-on latin american lefty leader is the sort of thing ken would normally sell his partner and child for.

Yes of course, but he would also want complete control of the photo opportunity. The last thing he wants is a huge audience of far leftists - hence things like banning banners.

 

[Streathamite]

very true, nigel, very true....

 

[cemertyone]

>>
> People are required to register their names with
> the GLA or they will not be admitted. Places will
> be allocated on a first come first served basis.
> To register you must contact .
>
> anna.roberts@london.gov.uk or
> sandeep.sra@london.gov.uk
>
> We look forward to seeing you at the meeting

Fuck that bollocks.... " Register with the GLA"..what the fuck for??are they building a data base of activists...this shit gets up my tits.....

 

[nino_savatte]

Why do people have to register to go listen to a politican? Is this kind of thing commonplace in england now?

I'm glad you specified "England" as it is unlikely this sort of shit would have happened in Scotland.

 

[justuname]

Of course no one replies if you email for tickets. Even someone I know from the BBC was refused a ticket because 'it wasn't a media event'.

A great opportunity to bring together London's large Latin American community and people from a wide range of groups and backgrounds who want to build support for what's going on in Venezuela is being sabotaged. Deliberately. By Labour.

Doesn't mean you don't give Venezuelan fascists a propaganda gift by inviting the Tories though... http://www.vcrisis.com/index.php?content=letters/200605120413

 

[X-77]

oh well, at least we can get to attend welcome rallies for him at various places in London.. (hope the c+p is not too lengthy..)

Dear all,

As many of you already know, President Hugo Chávez is coming to London
this
Sunday May 14 for two days, on his way back from the Latin
America/Caribbean/EU
summit, which is currently happening in Vienna.

We are organising welcome rallies for him throughout his visit and are
calling
on all supporters to greet him at 2pm outside his first appointment, at
the
Casa Miranda, next to Bolivar Hall (52 Grafton Way, off Tottenham Court
Rd
WC1,
nearest tube: Warren St).

As a campaign, we've lobbied hard to have a public meeting with the
president
put on the agenda and we're very happy that this has been arranged,
from 3pm
to
7pm in the Camden Centre (38 Bidborough St, off Judd St WC1, nearest
tube:
Kings
Cross).

Unfortunately, the original idea of holding an open meeting was dropped
in
favour of a ticketed event. These have been extremely limited and Hands
Off
Venezuela has only been awarded 100 places at the meeting, with an
additional
100 seats on standby.

More than double this number signed up within hours of us informing the
weekly
email list. We submitted these names to the Venezuelan embassy and are
waiting
to hear back from them regarding who will be awarded tickets. As we
understand
it, Mayor Ken Livingstone will have the final say on all of this.

We apologise to those of you who have been left out, we have all found
this
whole situation very frustrating. It is possible that a video screen
and PA
will be hooked up so that those of us not in the hall can still see
Hugo
Chávez speak. Bizarrely, we've been told that we won't be allowed to
have
the
banners inside, so some of us need to stay outside to hold them up!

The next day, Monday, President Chávez is meeting the TUC general
council at
Congress House (Great Russell St WC1, nearest tube: Tottenham Court
Rd). We
shall be gathering there at 9am to greet him again.

At 11.30am prompt we shall be outside City Hall (The Queen's Walk, SE1,
nearest
tube: London Bridge), where the president will be lunching with the
mayor
and
celebs such as Bianca Jagger and Bono, apparently! There will be plenty
of
press around so it will be good opportunity to show how much support
there
is
here for the Bolivarian Revolution.

Then at 4pm prompt we shall be in Parliament Square (we do have
permission
from
the police) as President Chávez addresses supportive Labour MPs inside
the
House. We hope that as many of you as possible will be able to join us
at
this
historic occasion.

Our next weekly meeting is, as usual, on Wednesday from 7pm at the NUJ
headquarters (308 Grays Inn Rd, nearest tube: Kings Cross). We should
have
some
good report-back material, so hope you can make it to one of these
events
and
keep and eye on the website!

Thanks
Hands Off Venezuela London

 

[cemertyone]

Th sheer amount of conditions attached to getting in to see him are a total and absolute disgrace.....Why have the HOV commitee agreed to the changing of the venue???. why will "no Banners" be allowed etc etc. Its this kind of fucking clicky politics which pisses me right of...
why has Livingstone some sort of veto over events like this????

 

[Nigel Irritable]

Why have the HOV commitee agreed to the changing of the venue???

It's not their show. It's Livingtones. HOV are just getting some scraps and being told to be grateful for them.

 

[lostexpectation]

i dont really care about the banners this guy is the leader of Venezuala surely ther must be thousands of venezualans in London who might want to see him, not just politicos

 

[justuname]

I'm involved with a local Venezuela support group and we've been determined not to get into any feuding between the various national Venezuela organisations but this has changed my mind.

I have had no replies to any of my requests to the GLA for tickets and I don't expect to now. In my opinion the people organising this event are dishonest, manipulative control freaks who are more interested in their own prestige than anything else and doing solidarity work no favours at all.

It's worth saying that Hands off Venezuela nationally have been very keen to have a large, spirited rally involving as many people as possible but have been treated appallingly. The sabotage of what would have been a great rally for Chavez has been carried out by Livingstone and the GLA with the support of the Venezuelan Information Centre, a thing set up by GLA people and union leaders to avoid a bottom campaign not run by Labour bureaucrats - see www.vicuk.org

As far as I can see VIC are playing the same role here that Socialist Action did in the run up to the ESF coming to London - doing the dirty work for Livingstone to ensure he runs everything, whatever the cost in terms of wider involvement, democracy or effectiveness.

I first heard of VIC when they held a conference on the same day as a Hands off Venezuela last year and have suspended judgement on the various groups since then because I assumed it was just different groups and I didn't want to get into a people's front of judea thing.

Changed my mind now.

I would urge anyone interested in solidarity work with Venezuela to steer well clear of VIC - and ask them to explain their support for this sabotage. Not cock up, not misunderstanding, not 'security concerns'. Sabotage.

 

[Nigel Irritable]

Which is fair enough as far as it goes, but you do know that HOV is controlled by the equally Labour-loyal if somewhat more radical Socialist Appeal don't you?

 

[justuname]

Which is fair enough as far as it goes, but you do know that HOV is controlled by the equally Labour-loyal if somewhat more radical Socialist Appeal don't you?

Don't care.

 

[treelover]

Exactamundo, these trot cults and of course Livingstone are really scared of grass roots politics, rather weird seeing as the GLC encouraged and facillitated them. You are so spot on about the ESF, Coca Cola was on sale for FFS, when Columbian trade unionsists were speaking!

I have had no replies to any of my requests to the GLA for tickets and I don't expect to now. In my opinion the people organising this event are dishonest, manipulative control freaks who are more interested in their own prestige than anything else and doing solidarity work no favours at all.

It's worth saying that Hands off Venezuela nationally have been very keen to have a large, spirited rally involving as many people as possible but have been treated appallingly. The sabotage of what would have been a great rally for Chavez has been carried out by Livingstone and the GLA with the support of the Venezuelan Information Centre, a thing set up by GLA people and union leaders to avoid a bottom campaign not run by Labour bureaucrats - see www.vicuk.org

As far as I can see VIC are playing the same role here that Socialist Action did in the run up to the ESF coming to London - doing the dirty work for Livingstone to ensure he runs everything, whatever the cost in terms of wider involvement, democracy or effectiveness.

 

[Kid_Eternity]

Got my email telling me I got a registered place...

 

[fela fan]

I'm glad you specified "England" as it is unlikely this sort of shit would have happened in Scotland.

My understanding has always been that scotland has slightly saner people running it.

 

[nightbreed]

Which is fair enough as far as it goes, but you do know that HOV is controlled by the equally Labour-loyal if somewhat more radical Socialist Appeal don't you?

Good one Nigel. I noticed in the article below that the reclaim labour /labour loyal Alan Woods shared a platform with Hugo Chavez in Austria the other day!!
When are the SP going to start their Venezuela campaign? Maybe calling it the Venezuela Hands Off Campaign!! I had to laugh when last year the CWI formed the TUDCP in Pakistan as opposed to the PTUDC of the Woods group. Just move one letter!! Pass the otters noses , Brian

"Hands off Venezuela" welcomes Chávez in Vienna
By Hands off Venezuela, Austria - www.haendewegvonvenezuela.org
Friday, 12 May 2006
President Chávez arrived in Vienna yesterday, May 11, ahead of the EU-Latin America summit which takes place today. However, Hugo Chávez will not only be speaking with Europe's "high society" and political leaders. He will also be speaking to the workers and youth of Austria. Last night around 200 activists welcomed him with a militant "¡Rumbo al socialismo!" – "Forward to socialism!"

In the short space of a few days activists of the Hands off Venezuela campaign, the socialist youth and the Marxist tendency Der Funke, as well as a number of other supporters of Chávez organised a militant demonstration to show their solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution. After giving several short interviews to the press, Chávez turned to the activists who had come out to greet him chanting revolutionary slogans such as "El pueblo unido, jamás será vencido!" and "¡Rumbo, rumbo, rumbo! ¡Rumbo al socialismo!" Chávez raised his fist to the crowd in salute.

He then spoke to Emanuel Tomaselli, the co-ordinator of the Hands off Venezuela campaign in Austria. Chávez said: "The poor, the workers, the women - in the 21st century, these suppressed layers of society will put into practice the ideals of my youth of the 1960s." He went on to greet Alan Woods, the editor of www.marxist.com and the leading figure of the International Marxist Tendency, as well as the Venezuelan trade unionist Rubén Linares of the UNT. He confirmed his presence at the Hands off Venezuela and Cuba rally tonight in the Arena Wien in Vienna.

Over the previous few days all main Austrian newspapers carried articles on Hands off Venezuela and announced tonight's meeting. Hugo Chávez, Alan Woods, Aleida Guevara and Rubén Linares will address the rally. Due to the high public interest in the event a large video screen will be placed in front of the building which will bring the rally to the people who will have to stay outside. More than 50 journalists from all over the world will be present and cover the meeting. This rally could mean a major breakthrough for the solidarity movement with the Bolivarian revolution in Austria.