Chavez and the SOB

First Time Cursing on TV and Seeing a Gun Pointed at You

Eight deep, we continued to walk amongst thousands through the city. Meeting many young families and endlessly being stopped by people punished in different ways by the Chavez government. A woman who lost her job as a secretary at an oil company because she didn’t pledge to vote for and support the Chavistas, crying as she spoke of trying to find any work to keep her family alive. Another whose parents were in jail for having a different political opinion. We moved and walked with them and stopped for quick video phone live shots whenever New York needed us, ot things started to heat up.

Despite the threats from Chavez and his followers, we continued to attempt to show both sides. We were tipped off about a counter rally, a sea of red supporting Chavez. Upon arrival, it was clear this was a government-run rally. Drowning in red, the color of the ruling party, I was told by many people there that they were given the day off if they came to the rally, and others were told there was no need to return to work if they didn’t attend. While there were some here who clearly strongly supported Hugo Chavez, the energy was much different than the protests currently wrapping the city. You could feel the apathy in this crowd, a weird mix for sure. One extreme, or the other. Either people really wanted to be here, the clear minority, or they were here due to pressures and requirements.