01/07/2008
Ken Livingstone joins meeting to celebrate Venezuelan independence and sovereignty

Tomorrow evening, Wednesday 2 July, former Mayor Ken Livingstone, President of the Venezuela Information Centre, together with Labour MP Colin Burgon, chair of Labour Friends of Venezuela, will join the Venezuelan Embassy in London for a public meeting to mark the 197th anniversary of Venezula’s independence.

Venezuela is notable for being the first South American colony to declare its independence. The Venezuelan Embassy in London will be celebrating such historical achievement with an important conference and cultural performances.

The forum Venezuela: Democracy and Sovereignty will be held at Bolivar Hall (56 Grafton Way) at 7:00 pm. Speakers will include Ken Livingstone, Colin Burgon, and Latin American academic Francisco Dominguez from Middlesex University .

The meeting will be followed later in the week on 3 and 4 July, with a major cultural event, with renowned Afro-Caribbean dance and music group Danzas Mandela, direct from Venezuela .

Ken Livingstone said: “I am very pleased to speak at this event marking Venezuela 's democracy and social progress, and supporting its right to determine its own future. Developing mutually beneficial relationships between the Venezuelan people who are transforming their society for the better and people in Europe is vital at a time when the Bush administration is redoubling its efforts to
dominate what it sees as the US' 'backyard'.'

Colin Burgon MP said: “Under the government of Hugo Chávez, Venezuela is exercising genuine national sovereignty with policies that put the interests of its people first. Venezuela ’s vast oil resources are no longer used to enrich multi-national corporations but to improve the living standards of millions of people through free healthcare and education with inspiring results for all supporters of social justice”

ENDS

Note to editors:
Danzas Mandela, named after the famous South African leader, is a group that creates an excellent visual product applying music, dance and popular theatre.  This Venezuelan band represents the values and lifestyles of Venezuelan afro-descendants who were previously marginalized and now celebrated for their enormous cultural diversity.
Both musical events by Danzas Mandela will also take place at Bolivar Hall at 7 pm, and all the activities are free of charge.

For further information contact Mr. Alberto Fuentes at 0207-388-5788

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