President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has a long history of abusing his power to suppress political dissent. He has taken over the nation’s media outlets, forcing them to broadcast his speeches and limiting the speech of his opponents. Now he has moved to outright imprisonment for those who dare to speak against the government.
Oswaldo Álvarez Paz is a outspoken advocate of democracy in Venezuela who has been jailed by the Chavez regime for speaking out against the government. He was arrested on March 22nd for his remarks on a television talk show
Oswaldo Alvarez Paz
acknowledging the fact that Venezuela has become a haven for drug trafficking.
A new initiative called Free Speech Venezuela has been formed to spread awareness about the free speech abuses. Click here to learn more the prosecution of Oswaldo Alvarez Paz and abuse of free speech rights in Venezuela.
It is critical that as students for liberty we aide our Venezuelan allies in the fight for liberty. Young leaders like 2008 Milton Freidman Prize winner Yon Goicoechea have built a strong student movement for democracy and free speech in Venezuela. Now more than ever, with a critical election approaching, they need our help. We must show our fellow students the abuses that Chavez is inflicting up on the Venezuelan people. We must convince the rest of the world to stand up and demand that Chavez respect basic individual rights.
Join Free Speech Venezuela on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/FreeSpeechVenezuela
Then spread the word and invite your friends.
