New York, NY – On November 3, activists rallied outside the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn to demand the release of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores. The monthly picket outside the MDC has been going on every month since the illegal kidnapping of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores on January 3.
Participants chanted, “Free the prisoners, free them all, free Maduro from these walls!” and “What’s the call? Free them all!” Signs read “Immediate medical care for Cilia Flores” and “Hands off Venezuela.” The rally ended in a short march along the length of the prison, since inmates can hear the chanting.
Organizations present at the rally included Brooklyn Against War, Workers World Party, Colectivo Bravo Pueblo, Black Alliance for Peace, and more.
Despite the new indictment, the demands of protesters remain the same. Briony Smith, a member of Brooklyn Against War and Anti-War Action Network, stated, “The case against Maduro is crumbling. The charges will not stand in court, members of the prosecution are resigning, and the judge has died. But this case will not be won by an act of God, but by our steadfast and unwavering solidarity. We will continue to fight and put pressure on the U.S. government and demand no to U.S. intervention! Hands off Venezuela! Free Maduro, Free Flores!”
On October 28, Alvin Hellerstein, the judge assigned to Flores and Maduro, died. Only 20 days before, he had denied a motion to grant Cilia Flores house arrest due to her life-threatening health condition.
A new judge, Analisa Torres, has been assigned to the case. Case assignments are said to be random. However, Torres has clear ties to Venezuela and, like Judge Hellerstein, likely has an agenda to push before hearing arguments from Flores and Maduro.
On December 17, Cilia and Maduro are set to appear at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for a pretrial hearing. Speakers emphasized the importance of court support both inside and outside the federal courthouse at the upcoming court date.
#NewYorkNY #NY #NYC #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #NicolasMaduro #CiliaFlores
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