Earlier today the US Secret Service consumated one of the most aberrant and unlawful actions in US imperialist history. The long requested eviction (by Guaido’s “ambassador” Carlos Vecchio) of the remaining four peace activists that were guests of the only Venezuelan government recognized by the United Nations.
BREAKING Federal and DC police have illegally entered the Venezuelan Embassy to arrest 4 activists. Violation of international law — Vienna convention. Shameful https://t.co/wzTC7I3kfD
— Ariel Gold ?? אריאל (@ArielElyseGold) May 16, 2019
Alina Duarte, Telesur reporter/producer who was assaulted by Guaido supporters, received death threats, stalked to her home, was still there reporting this morning. She reports the charge against the Embassy Protectors is “interfering with protective measures”. Orwell rolls in his grave.
Este es el momento en que los cuatro activistas son desalojados de la Embajada de Venezuela, el cargo que se les imputó es el de “interferencia con una medida protectora”. https://t.co/qlM6lyaATt
— Alina R. Duarte (@AlinaTelesur) May 16, 2019
RELATED CONTENT: Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson Resupplies Blockaded Venezuelan DC Embassy
The Deputy Foreign Minister of Venezuela objected to this violation of diplomatic norms and the Vienna Convention in a public statement.
“We denounce the arrest of the people inside our DC Venezuela Embassy and consider it a violation of the Vienna Conventions” says Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Ron. #EmbassyProtectionCollective
— Medea Benjamin (@medeabenjamin) May 16, 2019
The Collective’s attorney, Mara Heydon Hillard spoke to reporters at the scene.
#BREAKING
Lawyer Mara VerheydenHilliard confirms #UnitedStates police forces have illegally invaded the Venezuelan embassy in #WashingtonDC arresting 4 remaining activists of the #EmbassyProtectionCollective “violating”
the Vienna Convention Venezuela pic.twitter.com/G7rNkhEALm
— rosannemiller (@freedomgirl2011) May 16, 2019
Earlier in the week, movements in Venezuela expressed their solidarity with the Collective protecting the Bolivarian embassy.
“You are our heroes and heroines! United we’ll overcome!”
THANK YOU! ❤#EmbassyProtectionCollective#Love4EPC #CPEV#TrumpUnblockVenezuela @codepink | @answercoalition | @anyaparampil | @PopResistance | @AlinaTelesur | @MaxBlumenthal | @medeabenjamin #14May pic.twitter.com/wq2zXByXen
— ✽ Orlenys ?? (@OrlenysOV) May 15, 2019
OT will update this post throughout the day.
EF/JRE
Yesterday, Ambassador Samuel Moncada and Collective leader Tighe Barry gave this press conference on the status of the Embassy.
RELATED CONTENT: Tulsi Gabbard Speaks Out For Embassy Protectors and For “Hands Off Venezuela”
Medea Benjamin of internationally recognized Code Pink sums up the charges against the peace activists, quoting the Collective’s attorney.
The 4 peace activists at the Venezuela Embassy are charged with ‘interference with certain protective functions.’ They were not charged with trespassing because the US govt does not want to explain who is lawfully in charge of these premises: Attorney Mara Verheyden Hilliard.
— Medea Benjamin (@medeabenjamin) May 16, 2019
Code Pink calls for an action in solidarity with the Collective.
Though the four remaining embassy protectors were arrested today, the fight for the Venezuelan embassy and to defend international law continues. Come tonight from 6 to 8 PM in solidarity with the #EmbassyProtectionCollective and the Venezuelan people resisting US imperialism!
— CODEPINK (@codepink) May 16, 2019
