A group of local Venezuelans and supporters gathered at Carleton on April 6 and wore black ribbons to signify what they see as an oppressive regime that has negatively impacted many lives.
About 80 people formed a human SOS sign in front of MacOdrum Library in the afternoon to raise awareness regarding the situation in Venezuela.
Maria Arnal, a first-year communications student at Carleton, organized the event to bring together the local Venezuelan community and gain support.
“I feel like Venezuela is not getting a lot of media coverage and is overshadowed by the conflict in Ukraine and Syria,” she said. “I hope more international pressures come from Canada.”
The group of Venezuelans and supporters sang the Venezuelan national anthem while falling to the ground to represent the on-going killings and oppression in Venezuela.
“SOS is the most internationally recognized sign for help,” Arnal said.
Venezuela collapsed into conflict in February after a peaceful student demonstration spiralled the country into political, economic, and social devastation, according to Arnal.
“Government armed forces are out in the streets pointing guns at the people they should be protecting,” Arnal said. “People have been pushed so far that they feel like they have nothing to lose.”
Arnal said her first step is to build international awareness on university campuses to motivate people to give support.
“These are people’s issues, not just political issues,” she said, referencing human rights abuses in Venezuela.
Arnal said she started a petition, mainly at Carleton, with more than 200 signatures in support of asking for politicians to speak publicly about Venezuela’s crisis and for the Venezuelan flag to be raised in government buildings, such as Ottawa’s city hall.
“That’s the least I can do from here,” she said.
Federico Albarran, a University of Ottawa student and member of the Venezuelan Student Organization in Ottawa, said he hopes Venezuelans reunite during a time of misunderstanding.
“In a time where ideologies are different, people don’t understand each other,” he said. “I hope Venezuelans can come together.”
Michael Holstenson, a second-year aerospace engineering student at Carleton, wore black to represent solidarity for the Venezuelan people.
“I care about the Venezuelan people and came out to show my support for them,” he said.
Arnal said she hopes, through awareness, international pressures against Venezuela will weaken the central government and hopefully lead to a better future for Venezuela.
“I would like to go back someday and I want a bright future for my family and for the people in my country,” she said.
