Last Wednesday, local activist and founder of the group Grand Rapids Opponents of War, Jessica Plichta, spoke at Grand Valley State University. Plichta gained national attention when she was arrested during an interview with WZZM 13 earlier this month.
Plichta spoke to the GVSU Progressive Student Union on her experience representing the Freedom Road Socialist Organization at the People’s Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace of Our America in Caracas, Venezuela, which took place in early December. She was one of a handful of delegates from the United States able to attend due to the no-fly zone imposed by the Trump administration, which has cancelled the majority of flights to Venezuela.
The summit was organized by the Simón Bolívar Institute for Peace and Solidarity among Peoples as a global call for sovereignty, peace and against military escalation.
“Most speakers at this assembly connected struggles such as the genocide of Palestinians and how that struggle relates to the Venezuelan people, emphasizing the importance of international solidarity,” said Plichta.
Plichta argued that international solidarity is needed in addressing the issue of Monroeism versus Bolivarianism, as well as the United States’ attempt to overtake popular governments, such as in Venezuela.
Plichta’s goal in speaking at the event was to dispel what she views as misconceptions and propaganda often spread about Latin America.
Sharing her observations about the social, political and working culture of Venezuela, Plichta noted many differences from capitalist countries, such as the United States. Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans live in communes, which are entirely self-sustaining communities that govern themselves. She had the opportunity to visit one of the oldest communes, El Panal, in Caracas, which manages its own security without the interference of local police.
“The U.S. has spread propaganda about foreign nations since (their) inception, but to hear those myths busted in real time was just inspiring,” said Kian Bakri, a senior at East Kentwood High School who attended the speaking event. “I truly believe that education and myth-busting are the paths of liberation, and what we are currently trying to do is lay the groundwork for revolution to change.”
Plichta also spoke about the widespread political messaging she encountered on billboards and in artwork on city walls. She said citizens of these communities own their cities and means of production, so they have a choice in what is displayed.
She proclaimed the growth of these communes is hindered by sanctions because they have revolutionary advancements, but not the means to implement and distribute them throughout the country.
She also challenged the popular assertion that Maduro is disliked by a significant number of the Venezuelan population.
“What kind of man is hated by his own people, yet walks among them in thousands, shaking their hands, while one in three Venezuelans are armed,” said Plichta.
Plichta again called out the U.S and its intervention in Venezuela.
“The average Venezuelan, no matter what sentiment they share, doesn’t want their hometowns, cities or streets destroyed for a war on oil,” said Plichta.
Plichta concluded that no blockade can defeat solidarity and that military aggression can never destroy the love displayed worldwide for the Venezuelan people.
