The U.S. military action in Venezuela is sparking controversy in our region, including a protest in Johnstown on Saturday.
The Party for Socialism & Liberation called the protest at the corner of Haynes and Bedford streets in Johnstown, and organizers said this isn’t the first time the U.S. has invaded a country to stabilize it.
Francis Carscella with the Party for Socialism and Liberation said, “I’m old enough to have lived through the Iraq war. I think most people know how that went. We know how Afghanistan went. We know how Libya went; a country that had abolished slavery at returned after we overthrew Qaddafi.”
David Casker of Johnstown said, “Silence gives consent, and so if we don’t speak up, then we’re just rolling over and letting it happen.”
Others earlier in the day said they are glad it happened and that it should have happened decades ago.
Dustin Drobnich of New Jersey said, “Because of all the drugs, people are dying. The U.S. has been a total cluster-mess because of it from all the drugs coming through.”
Tarrie Flacco of Bucks County said, “Trump isn’t going to mess around like other presidents. He is not afraid to get what he wants, and I commend him for that. He doesn’t care about other people’s opinions. He cares about his own and he cares about the better of the country.”
Still, some said President Trump should have gotten congressional approval.
Michael Pellow of Johnstown said, “He has been talking about how he’s the president of peace and now we’re going and starting a war, potentially in Venezuela, without going through all the proper channels.”