Around 30 people gathered outside Reading railway station on Friday evening to protest against recent US actions involving Venezuela and what they described as a lack of response from the UK government.
The demonstration, which took place at about 5pm, was attended by trade union members, students, peace activists and local campaigners. Protesters accused the United States, under president Donald Trump, of carrying out illegal attacks on Venezuela and called for the release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom they claimed had been detained.
Those attending urged Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, the British government and Reading’s Labour MPs Matt Rodda, Yuan Yang and Olivia Bailey, to publicly condemn the US actions.
Placards at the protest expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and criticised what demonstrators said was the UK’s silence on the issue. Organisers said the protest was intended to pressure the Labour government to adopt a stronger diplomatic position.
The demonstration was organised by the Reading branch of the group Your Party. One of the organisers, Tom Ramplin, accused the US of committing “a crime of aggression” and criticised Labour politicians for what he described as weak responses.
He said: “People didn’t vote Labour at the last election for them to cosy up to strong men around the world. It’s up to the people of Venezuela to choose their leaders.”
Organisers said the protest was the first of a series of planned actions and that they would continue campaigning until the UK government publicly opposes US intervention and recognises Venezuela’s sovereignty.
