‘We want freedom:’ Fresno Venezuelan protest part of global call to action

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – As part of a global display of solidarity, the local Venezuelan community and allies gathered in Fresno Saturday to protest the recent election results in Venezuela.

The peaceful protest that took place near River Park called for a strong desire to see Venezuela free from dictatorship and repression.

“We’re here peacefully protesting because we want Venezuela to be free. The 28th of July there was fraud committed on the elections and we are tired of misery— being repressed of a government that is a dictatorship where our human rights are not listened. We want freedom for Venezuela,” said protestor Anyelieth Rodriguez.

This protest in Fresno was part of a greater global whole after opposition leader María Corina Machado called for demonstrators to raise their voices for freedom and demand the Venezuelan Supreme Electoral Council release all the official records from the July 28 election and to officially declare Edmundo González the winner. They also demand the resignation of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Aura González, an organizer for the group “ Venezolanos Central Valley, ” which helps Venezuelan immigrants get accustomed to the U.S., says the demonstration in Fresno was intended to bring awareness internationally toward a 25-year repressive regime.

“In Venezuela, we hold elections under very disadvantaged circumstances because the Maduro regime holds all the power in my country so civil rights and civil liberties and freedom of press in my country don’t exist,” González said.

And while many in the valley who are not Venezuelan may not think twice about this election, González says this issue eventually affects the states.

“If election outcomes are perceived as fraudulent or referred it can lead to an increase in rent and instability in Venezuela, potentially exacerbating the immigration crisis. So Venezuelans living in the valley may face high uncertainty about their families back home, increased pressure on local resources and support systems,” González explained.

Earlier this year a group of Venezuelan asylum seekers unexpectedly arrived in Fresno from out of state. Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer responded by saying they needed to be sent back to El Paso to undergo the official legal processes but also provided them with support.

“What we are doing in the City of Fresno is somewhat of a triage, and that is to make sure that they have their health needs met, to make sure that they have food, some temporary shelter and services provided to them,” Mayor Dyer said in a February press conference.

González says it has been 15 years since she has seen her family and adds this is a reality for many asylum seekers who trek through dangerous routes and leave behind their whole lives to escape the regime.

“We want our democracy back. We want to come back home. We want to hug again our family our relatives that we left there and we want everyone to have simple things that every human being deserves,” González said. “Human rights is food, water, a decent [job], a good healthcare system because Venezuela right now we have a crisis, unfortunately. And we want peace and liberty that is a human right that every human being deserves.”

And while ways to show support can range from donating to nonprofits and organizations, using social media, or supporting legislation, one of the best ways to help is to stay informed about the crisis through trusted sources, González says.

“Please get well informed about what is happening in [Venezuela] because sometimes people can misunderstand the system that is right now in the presidency in my country and make comparisons that doesn’t align with what exactly is happening,” González said. “Sometimes it can be very sensitive for many Venezuelans when people come without the proper knowledge.”

Aura González is calling for any and all Venezuelans in the valley to reach out to the group “ Venezolanos Central Valley CA ” on Facebook for support.

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