Outside Downing Street, tensions flared as demonstrators set fire to an American flag, stamping on it while chanting, “death, death to the USA.” These actions were part of a protest against Donald Trump’s handling of the situation involving Nicolas Maduro.
The flag-burning was initiated by masked individuals from the Anti-Imperialist Front, a group among several leftist organizations that converged for the demonstration last night.
In a dramatic display, the American flag was placed on the grass, soaked in lighter fluid, and then ignited. The fiery scene unfolded without police interference, with one participant, a young architect, seen chatting casually afterward, his backpack still containing the plastic bottle of lighter fluid.
At its peak, the protest attracted approximately 500 people. The crowd chanted slogans such as “Keir Starmer grow a spine, occupation is a crime,” voicing their discontent.
The demonstration was organized by the Venezuelan Solidarity Campaign, in collaboration with the Stop The War movement and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
It was organised by the Venezuelan Solidarity Campaign in accordance with the Stop The War movement and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Although a number of Latin American people turned up in support there were very few Venezuelans. The majority of people there were British.
Posting in the Venezuelans in England Facebook group ahead of the protest, furious members were convinced none of their compatriots would attend, insisting they were in support of Trump’s actions to oust the dictator.
They had considered forming a counter-protest and said those who went should be named and shamed on camera.
An American flag was set alight and stamped on outside Downing Streetas campaigners against Donald Trump’s capture of Nicolas Madurochanted ‘death, death to the USA’
People gather outside Downing Street to protest against the US military attack on Venezuela
Jeremy Corbyn MP addresses demonstrators outside Downing Street protesting against the US military attack on Venezuela, calling on the British government to condemn the forced removal of Maduro and demanding his return to Venezuela
Veteran human rights campaign Peter Tatchell walked around the event with a sign that read: ‘Maduro was a tyrant. But USA out of Venezuela.’
He was yelled at by one man and others took issue with him stating Maduro was a tyrant.
He said: ‘The first thing to say is that the USA needs to get out of Venezuela, it was an illegal act.
‘But Maduro was not a good guy, he was a tyrant, and he stole the last election.
‘I know people in Venezuela who have been shot dead on his watch for carrying out peaceful protests.
‘But the way in which this has been done is the wrong way to get rid of him.
‘Keir Starmer should immediately state that the military incursion was in violation of international law.
‘If not, this will set a precedent that will be exploited by regimes around the world to justify operations against countries and people they want to annex.’
There were chants of ‘free Maduro’ while placards carried messages including ‘No Blood for Oil – Hands off Venezuela’, and another that read ‘expel the US ambassador’.
Sinn Féin MP for Belfast North John Finucane spoke over the microphone to tell crowds that the ‘US assault must be condemned’, adding it will lead to ‘death and destruction’.
‘It’s not for Western countries to force regime change,’ he said. ‘No innocent blood should be spilled for oil.’
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Is it ever justified to burn a flag in protest, or does it cross a line of respect and decency?
People gather outside Downing Street to protest against the US military attack on Venezuela, calling on the British government to condemn the forced removal of Maduro
Around 500 people gathered at the protest’s height and chanted ‘ Keir Starmergrow a spine, occupation is a crime’
It was organised by the Venezuelan Solidarity Campaign in accordance with the Stop The War movement and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Campaigners hold banners and flags as they protest against the US actions in Venezuela
A Mexican tourist named Carmen, aged 60, who is visiting London with her son, was furious at the protest.
She said: ‘There are many, many Venezuelans who have come to Mexico because they couldn’t live under Maduro. They had no freedom, no money and no food.
‘I am not saying Trump is a good man and I worry for the future of Mexico but in this instance, I think he is right.
‘These people protesting here are idiots. They are bored at home and want something to do. This is ridiculous. There is one Mexican flag here that said ‘free Maduro’ – I’d like to throw a rock at them.’
Her son, who did not want to be named, added: ‘Any of these people – I would like to see them spend some time in Venezuela and see what life has been like for them for many years.
‘Here they have the freedom, in London, to walk down the street. They’re from a privileged democracy – and if they saw what Venezuela is really like, they would soon run back home to their safety.’
Oliver Shykles, 53 and a long time campaigner for Venezuela, said: ‘There’s a human rights issue here and also in the way Venezuela will now be run – but former human rights lawyer Keir Starmer seems to have forgotten that. He has to speak up.’
David, a 63-year-old North Londoner from the Revolutionist Communist Group, said: ‘It’s all about minerals and oil and it’s disgraceful.
‘I’m here to support Venezuela against imperialist pressure. I don’t know any Venezuelans personally.’
