Protests and Pandemonium

"Nobody on the road  Nobody on the beach  I feel it in the air…"
-          Don Henley (“Boys of Summer”)

As it currently stands, Venezuela is in a state of political smolder.  The events of last spring’s election still vibrate the inner ear of many citizens and it seems that a cadre of students and opposition supporters are blowing on the embers. 

They are calling it #LaSalida, meaning  the exit or "The Output". 

Today, throughout Venezuela there has been demonstrations, protests and marches organized, in part, by Leopoldo Lopez (if you use chrome click translate, if not go to google and plug it in. But you should be using Chrome).  He and Maria Corina Machado have been the catalyst to sporadic protests over the past week prior to today’s organized larger scale protest (including at the Caribbean Series).

A protest tweet. 

Last night the protests had begun to drum up the masses as seen here.  Students have had a very visible and influential role with this round of demonstrations.  Last night, Morris and I saw several corners in Valencia were students and others were banging on pots and pans, playing horns, and chanting while holding up signs in support of their ideals (I would have taken pictures but I left my phone at home). 

The protestors have assembled near the El Carabobeño newspaper and will march through Valencia displaying their distaste for Maduro and the government, until they are stopped or arrive at their final destination (information missing).  The protestors requested that during their march through the city that residents take their Wi-Fi password off so they can live tweet the event (national media has been coy to say the least).

Twitter announcement about keeping WIFI open. 

Another view of the protests/march.

The recent reanimation of protesting does not come without some disagreement, and not from just the current ruling party.  The opposition itself has some internal issues it is dealing with.

To paraphrase (from the Caracas Chronicle’s article):

1. Lack of Strategy: What specifically are they protests? With so many issues what is it they are standing up against?

2. Lack of size (thus far).  The protests have been small and scattered, but if today garners more of a response things (media coverage and seriousness) could change. 

3. Blaming Capriles (Opposition presidential candidate [defeated last election]) and creating a schism in the party/movement.  Many tweets knock his approach and leadership, therefore hurting the overall assembly. 

Regardless of what happens in wake of these demonstrations, it is very interesting to see this type of grassroots protest.  Many local friends are disillusioned by them and ex-pats with experience hope they lead to a better living for our friends. 

A caricature of the current president found on twitter. 

I have always had fight-for-your-rights/stand up for your belief ideology for as long as I remember. My dad instilled it in me throughout my child/young adulthood and reinforced it with the music of Bruce Springsteen, the Eagles, Creedence, Neil Young, Pink Floyd and other 60’s and 70’s rock.  Later, I found the Clash, Rage Against the Machine, MC5, U2, and Pearl Jam to name a few. Backing that ideology with mouth and actions has got me in trouble before, but those cases were nothing like this. By no means are any of us taking to the streets, but several of us are really interested in these types of events and the social climate that follows.  I am now able to take those thoughts and feelings I have carried and see this situation through that lens.  Definitely makes for an interesting day.  

Here is a link to a ton of pictures from today's demonstrations.  
Here is the Miami Heralds coverage, and Reuters.  

What’s New:

• Started playing in a 6 v 6 soccer league again. This one will go to the end of the year, and hopefully we’ll make the final.

• My shoulder has hurt for roughly 6 weeks and is starting to make my elbow and fingers feel weird, so I’ll be going to the doctor on Monday.  That will for sure make the blog.  They don’t have “appointments” here (lines), so I’ll be sure to give a full report on the experience and cost.

• Last night after our game, Morris and I went to three grocery stores (you can’t find everything at one unless you go to Walma...Kromi, but that was closed due to protests).  I needed a few small things to make dinner and pack for lunch (no lunch at school- protests) and hoped it would be fast (relatively speaking).  We went first to the Chinese grocery story, Panda, and it was a shit show.  They had butter, toilet paper, sugar, rice, and Harina Pan so it was packed.  Morris and I spent a few minutes (approx. 45) in line where we were encountered by a woman who had just butter (four tubs) and wanted to cut the line.  Morris told her (in Spanish), if it is ok with the rest of the line then she could.  She stared at Morris, he stared back.  I think she was surprised. She continued to stare and even blinked (loser!).  He met her glare and raised it.  More staring. He went Medusa on her and she backed away to ask another guy.  He let her.  After 45 mins the courtesy cut is gone, especially with a long line behind.  Just another way for us gringos to be hated (DOWN WITH THE IMPERIALISTS!).  I called that evening at Panda, Panda-monium (get it? Lame? ahhh.)

• Had a meeting about the trip to Cuba (My buddy Marshall is a PowerPoint magician. 91 slides of cool animation, music, and info- well done).  Should be awesome and will allow me to retrace some of Hemingway’s paths around the country.  

Video of the Day:

I little video that contains a good message for Venezuela, the Ukraine, and even the US.  Enjoy. 

Everything ended ok in Valencia today.  Some of my colleagues could not get home until several hours after school, but to my knowledge everyone is safe.

Thanks for playing along, and sorry about the delay.

Keep on rockin' in the free world.

Until next time,

KRS