Venezuela, I’m not really sure what is happening

So now is probably the time to mention, while I do care and try to stay informed on international concerns, my focus is usually domestic. Again, I’m hearing mixed things about Venezuela as to the conflict. The government is claiming it is coup backed by countries opposed to the current government, while some press outlets are claiming the protestors are resisting tyranny.

Last week, thousands of people took to the streets in Caracas, which left at least four people death (three protestors and one government supporter). The conflict is occurring between the pro-government armed groups (colectivos) who have been accused of using violence against the protestors, who are being accused of trying to stage a coup against President Maduro. The government has blocked the regional new channel and papers were restricted. A Twitter spokesperson says Twitter was blocked by the government after opposition supporters were “reportedly using false images to depict police brutality.”

The leader of the opposition is Mr. Leopoldo Lopez and after speaking to supporters at his home he turned himself over to the National Guard. Lopez said, he wanted his arrest to bring awareness of the county to “unjust justice.” Lopez was wanted on charges of inciting violence during the protests. President Maduro said Lopez would be brought to justice. Lopez has denied the charges against himself.

The country is reportedly very polarized. The anti-government protestors are protesting Venezuela’s homicide rate, high inflation, crime, and shortages of staples. Lopez called on supporters to march, saying, “I will walk alone. I won’t put any Venezuelan lives at risk. Go Venezuela!” Government supporters held a counter march.  The US state department denied allegations they had anything to do with the anti-government protest. Venezuela announced they would expel three US diplomats for meeting with students who led the march.

So we can’t forget the US has a long history of pushing for coups and anti-government demonstrations when we don’t like the government in power, which we don’t in Venezuela. However, the Venezuelan government is pretty messed up. Also wouldn’t be the first time a coup happened in Venezuela. As of Tuesday night, Venezuela saw violence unlike it has seen since the 1980s. Anyone who has a better grasp on what is happening here or some good sources let me know.

Kiev, I’m not really sure what is happening

I’m not down with a violent response to protestors regardless of their causes. I just want to begin there, but I’m not really sure there is a side to be on in this one. I’ve been trying to find good sources for information, but I’m running pretty dry. I didn’t find one piece by Daniel Sandford for BBC News, which might be ok. He includes a niffy timeline.

The death toll on as Tuesday was 26 in Kiev, which is the capital of the Ukraine. President Yanukovych blames the opposition leaders (Vitaly Klitschko, Udar party and Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Fatherland party) for the violence, because INTERNET or just blaming the opposition leaders to blame the opposition leaders, I guess. Talks are failing and Yanukovych is encouraging the opposition leaders to distance themselves from the “radical forces.” As of Wednesday the EU and President Obama have come out in favor of sanctions.

A breakdown of the injuries goes like this as of Tuesday:

• 10 killed were police
• 14 protestors were killed
• A journalist for a Russian language paper, Vyacheslav Veremyi was pulled from a taxi and shot
• Hundreds have been treated for injuries

Sandford is attributing the conflict’s origin to a “democratic argument over Ukraine’s relationship with Russia.” However, I think that isn’t the full picture, because are the opposition capitalists who want more connection to the EU? The protestors maybe inspired by far-right politics, but now they are focusing on revolution. Sandford asserts the opposition’s numbers are small and cannot on their own overthrow the government. The support for the protests seem to be coming from Lviv, which is highlighting the split between eastern and western Ukraine. The protests are centered on Independence Square (also called Maidan). Initial protests began in late November, when President Yanukovych rejected a trade and association deal with the EU in favor of closer ties with Russia.

Things were claiming down because the protestors had agreed to give up their occupation of government buildings for amnesty against prosecution. However, on Tuesday, government supporters blocked the opposition’s attempts to scale back the constitutional powers of the president. Both sides blame the other of course. Violence spread and the police launched their first attack on Maidan on Tuesday. The police have been using, water cannons and tear gas, while the protestors were using stones and petrol bombs. The government is calling this an anti-terrorism operation (because anything you disagree with is terrorism, USA, USA, USA). The protestors have barricades made of burning tires.

Russia, of course, has an opinion because when they aren’t violating the rights of their own citizens they want to give advice, saying the protestors are trying to take power.

So my dilemma is: are the opposition really on the side of the people or are they looking for free trade agreements? Because free trade agreements aren’t in the best interests of the people, they are in the best interests of owners. Of course, the government doesn’t seem much better. Actually, anyone in leadership over there care about the people?

Tomorrow Venezuela. 

*Update, per the headlines alone this morning: there is a cease fire and an increase in the death toll. 

UIC are on strike.

The Chicago Tribune reporter Naheed Rajwani wrote about the story on Tuesday. The strike started yesterday when University of Illinois at Chicago faculty members picketed on the Quad of the East Campus. The strike is drawing attention to the contract negotiations between the university and the union that represents about 1,150 full-time tenured and nontenured faculty members.

According to organizes this was the campus’ first faculty-led walkout and was a last resort. They acknowledge this is a short-term plan with the hopes of a long-term payout with the investment in education. Members of the Campus Worker and Student Coalition and SEUI 73 came out to show support for the unionized faculty.

Students drew attention to the working conditions of teachers directly impacting their learning conditions. Of course, students are also concerned about the strike’s impact on their coursework. To which all I can say is fuck those kids. Sure, it would suck if the faculty walked out for a month, but we’re talking two days. We’re talking about the working conditions of people verses a slight inconvenience.

UIC’s faculty union was certified in 2012, and it hasn’t finalized its first contract with the university even though they’ve had dozens of bargaining sessions. The sticking point seems to be (according to the university) the minimum salaries for lectures to be competitive with other institutions’ lectures. The university does acknowledge they need to increase wages. The union says the university’s latest proposal fall short. The university is proposing a 3.25 percent salary increase, while the union is asking for 4.5 percent. The union is asking that tenured faculty make a minimum of $60 thousand per year and nontenured between $30 and $45 thousand. Bargaining sessions are scheduled for Friday, February 24, and March 3.

Obviously, I’m with the faculty on this one. I have some friends there in Chicago watching and protesting with them so my Facebook feed is kind of better than Twitter on this one.

I just can’t

I’m over the murder of black children. I have nothing productive to add to this conversation. Martin, Davis, Broadway. I just can’t. White people kill black children and serve no time, in what world is this ok? There is a boy in my class who thinks that people in our program are extreme lefties, of course he’s referring to democrats. He’s wrong. Our program isn’t extreme. I do however believe the only thing that will fix society is a complete overhaul. Open season on black adolescents is a perfect example of how a systems overhaul is needed.

I’m not all negative this morning. Below is my girl-crush Ellen Page coming out with an amazing statement. She is so adorable.