Protest closing of community station in Venezuela

Protest closing of community station in Venezuela

Dear friends, There are attempts to silence the community voices that were the only ones who rapidly took to the airwaves denouncing last year's coup against Chavez. The workers have been the subject of repression by the right wing Metropolitan Police and the Metropolitan Mayor Alfredo Peña. It is extremely urgent that voices in the US raise opposition and send messages to Peña. This letter is just a model that you could use or you can write your own.

IT IS EXTREMELY URGENT. THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A SMALL ALTERNATIVE STATION:

It should be sent to:

To: Alcalde Metropolitano de Caracas, Alfredo Peña alcalde@alcaldiamayor.gov.ve

And copy to: puebloalzao@aporrea.org y ameriques@rsf.org

Thanks,

Berta Joubert-Ceci

Honorable Alcalde Alfredo Peña,

He sabido de la indiscriminada clausura de la Televisora Alternativa CATIA TV lo cual me ha llenado de extremada preocupación. Esa televisora comunitaria con tan escasos recursos técnicos ha logrado hazañas extraordinarias. Ha llegado a ser la voz que representa a ese pueblo humilde y valiente, algo que los grandes medios de comunicación por décadas le han negado.

Repudio con todas mis fuerzas esa acción de cierre que va contra todos los principios internacionales democráticos de libre expresión. Y me sorprende sobremanera que haya sido usted, el alcalde metropolitano el sujeto de la clausura y de la confiscación de materiales y equipo de tan pequeña estación.

Confío en que se asegure la integridad física de todos y todas los que trabajan y colaboran en CATIA TV y que inmediatamente se abran las puertas y se repongan todos los equipos incautados para que CATIA TV pueda seguir su trabajo ejemplar. Los ojos del mundo están en la Alcaldía Metropolitana y sus fuerzas policíacas.

En espera de su contestación y acción.

Queda atentamente,

Honorable Mayor Alfredo Peña,

I am extremely concerned about the indiscriminate closing of the Alternative Television Station CATIA TV. This community television station has done great work, achieving extraordinary feats with scarce technical resources. It has turned into the voice that represents the humble and the courageous people who for decades have been marginalized and ignored by the big media in Venezuela.

I strongly reject this outrageous action that goes against all international democratic principles of free expression. And I am especially surprised that it has been you, the Metropolitan Mayor, the instigator for the closing and the confiscation of materials and equipment of such a small station.

I trust that the physical integrity of all those who work and collaborate in CATIA TV is assured, that the station doors will be opened up immediately and all confiscated materials and equipment will be returned so that CATIA TV can continue its exemplary work.

The eyes of the world are on the Metropolitan Governorship and its police forces.

Awaiting your response and your action,

Respectfully,