Adelaide Socialist Alliance branch hosted a Solidarity Dinner and Fiesta on November 19 to celebrate 20 years of Green Left Weekly and raise funds for the paper’s fighting fund.
The event was a great success, with about 50 people attending. Those present ranged from long time GLW supporters to young Resistance activists, members of the Latin American community and people involved in Occupy Adelaide.
Representatives from several progressive campaigns in South Australia expressed their support for the paper. Activists from Action for Palestine, the Climate Emergency Action Network and Resistance made toasts to GLW.
Nelson Davila, the Venezuelan Ambassador to Australia, was the special guest speaker on the night. He spoke about the upcoming elections in Venezuela, saying the opposition was on the back foot. He said President Hugo Chavez and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela had strong majority support and would win the elections if they were held now.
He also spoke of the popular uprisings happening around the world, particularly in the Middle East, as examples of people power in action.
Davila expressed his gratitude to GLW and Venezuelan solidarity activists for their support of the people-powered process in Venezuela.
He urged the audience to continue to mobilise solidarity for Venezuela’s socialism of the 21st century, particularly in the lead up to the 2012 elections when political attacks from the West are likely to increase, and as the US continues to finance the opposition to undermine the democratic process.
In addition to the inspiring talk by Davila, attendees were treated to delicious food and an entertaining program of music and dance.
The evening was a great fundraising success too, raising $1500 for Australia’s leading progressive newspaper.