JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Activist organizations took to Bay Street, armed with picket signs and chanting slogans, to protest the situation in Venezuela and the capture of President Maduro.

Among the rallying cries was, “Cold and rain, we don’t care, U.S. out of everywhere,” reflecting their opposition to U.S. involvement.

Approximately 50 demonstrators assembled on the steps of the Charles E. Bennett Federal Building for an emergency rally, united in the belief that the United States should not intervene in the Venezuelan crisis.

Speakers at the event questioned whether the motives behind the strike are truly humanitarian or if they are driven by interests in Venezuela’s natural resources, such as oil.

One speaker highlighted domestic issues, noting the long waiting lists at homeless shelters in Jacksonville, suggesting that the U.S. should prioritize addressing its own challenges first.

First Coast News asked one organizer what the ideal outcome of the rally would be.

“Our demands are for no war in Venezuela, for U.S. to take their hands out of Venezuela and no more blood for oil,” said Freedom Road Socialist Organization Member, Jamison Collins-Morita. “They have the power to forge the future of their own country and the U.S. did not need to intervene at all.”

The rally happened in front of Senator Rick Scott’s office, who shared his sentiment on the strike in two posts on X, saying in part: “A new day is here for Venezuela and Latin America. The United States and our hemisphere are safer because of President Trump’s leadership.”

Going on in a later post to say: “Maduro was indicted in a U.S. Court and was told to stop sending drugs into our country to kill our kids and grandkids, but he refused. This is peace through strength on full display.”

Senator Scott’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for a statement on the rally at his office.