Danny Glover: Venezuela Vindicating Afro-descendents

U.S. actor and activist Danny Glover, Afro-Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba, and Afro-Ecuadorean legislator Alexandra Ocles highlighted the shared international political struggle of African descendants on Wednesday afternoon in the Venezuelan capital.

The International Committee of Recognition of Afro-American Culture held a press conference, featuring the three, on Wednesday in Caracas.

Cordoba, a prominent Colombian human rights activist, said that liberation struggles against neoliberal and imperialist forces continue in the 21st century.

She also emphasized the historical importance of policies like the recent celebration of the Venezuelan independence hero “Negro Primero” Pedro Camejo, whose remains were transferred to the National Pantheon on the same day.

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“For Latin American people it is extremely important to attend an event that will raise awareness around (the contributions of) Afro-descendents to Latin American struggles,” she said. Such initiative helps to clear out “the historical debt towards Afro-descendent men and women.”

Glover, who also participated in the tribute to Negro Primero, said he was “proud to be part of a movement that represents African descendents, which will have an impact not only in the region, but in the whole world.”

"President Chavez opened the doors for us to form a movement of African descendants," said Glover, referring to Venezuela’s late President Hugo Chavez. "The hero Pedro Camejo must be smiling because they are following their legacy, their heritage"

Glover didn’t fail to mention the current racial tensions in the United States and their impact on contemporary African-American youth. The activist said young African-Americans are growing up in an adverse context, but also emphasized that necessary discussion on racism were beginning to take place.

“Something else is happening, people talk in the public sphere as well as in other spaces like prisons,” said the actor.

Glover has supported the Bolivarian revolution and has visited Venezuelan various times in the past, meeting with Afro-descendent leaders and activists in the country, while encouraging international cooperation and solidarity.