VENEZUELAN WOMEN WILL TRAVEL TO DURHAM, NC TO DISCLOSE HOW U.S. SANCTIONS ARE KILLING WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN VENEZUELA
DURHAM, NC — [MAY 24, 2022] —The Democratic Socialists of America NC Triangle Chapter, a grassroots organization focused on building international solidarity in the Triangle area, today announced they will host a panel of Venezuelan women who will discuss the crippling effects of U.S. sanctions on women and children living in Venezuela. The event will be held at the People’s Solidarity Hub, located at 1805 Chapel Hill Rd., Durham, NC on Saturday, June 4th from 12pm to 2pm. The event is free, open to the public and will be conducted in both English and Spanish.
The announcement comes as the U.S. State Department reconsiders its sanctions on Venezuela and explores a deal with the socialist country for oil amid soaring energy prices. Venezuela has the world’s largest oil reserves, and the Biden Administration is opening relations with the country so that Americans can pay less at the pump. However, only making changes to oil-related sanctions would fail to help ordinary Venezuelans, and only benefit large oil companies like Chevron. This would also further entrench fossil fuel infrastructure around the globe and intensify climate change.
Members of the DSA chapter will facilitate a panel discussion with the Venezuelan delegation to deliver a three-point message: first, to show how U.S. sanctions disproportionately harm the most vulnerable, especially the women and children of Venezuela; second, to illustrate how Venezuelan women are building a grassroots solidarity movement to organize to end these sanctions, and lastly, to discuss how the people of North Carolina can join in the effort to end U.S. sanctions against the people of Venezuela.
DSA chapter co-chair, Tristan Bavol, traveled to Caracas last month to witness first-hand how U.S. sanctions are affecting the women and children of Venezuela. “The country is in a much better place than it was a couple of years ago; however, these U.S. sanctions are brutal and make it extremely difficult for mothers to get the day-to-day necessities they need for their children,” said Bavol. “The health and well-being of the Venezuelan people is the bottom line. The United States should remove sanctions that directly cause the most vulnerable people in Venezuela to starve to death and die of preventable diseases.” Independent UN rights experts have called on the United States to end its unilateral sanctions on Venezuela.
Bavol met with the delegation of Venezuelan women in Caracas and says that they are standing strong, despite the sanctions. “The resiliency of these women, despite US sanctions, is a story everyone should hear. We are excited to have them come to Durham and share their stories with the community.”
All attendees, including media and elected officials are asked to RSVP and register at this link.
Media outlets are invited to arrive at 11am, one hour prior to the event, for interviews with the Venezuelan delegation. The cutoff time for interviews will be 11:45am. Media is invited to also stay for the panel and Q&A.
COVID protocols: Proof of vaccination, either physical cards or picture of cards. Masks are to be worn at all times inside the venue.
A media advisory for the June 4th event will follow next week.
Contacts: Tristan Bavol - Chapter Co-Chair - ncpdsa@gmail.com
Links to media Assets:
Image: Venezuela Feminist Tour Promotional Image, June 4th 12-2pm, Durham, NC