March 5 is the second anniversary of the tragic passing of President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela. Yet, despite his short life, he transformed Venezuela by his courageous struggle to make the Venezuelan masses the protagonists of their destiny.

Before Chávez, Venezuela's natural resources enriched only the oil companies and ruling class. Today the country's wealth has been harnessed for true development -- hundreds of thousands of homes, healthcare and schools throughout the country. 

The goal of the Bolivarian Revolutionary process is socialism, where every human being can enjoy guaranteed rights of healthcare, education, housing, jobs, equality, culture, social peace, and international solidarity.

But the U.S. government is working to destabilize the Venezuelan revolutionary government, financing right-wing organizations, encouraging coup attempts and terrorist attacks on the population. Now, the U.S. Congress is applying sanctions on Venezuela to punish the government and people for defending their sovereignty.

It is up to us, the people of the United States, to demand that our government stop the attacks and destabilization of Venezuela, respect International Law and Venezuela's right to live.

Join us on Thursday, March 5, 5 pm, 24th and Mission, S.F., for a rally to celebrate: "Chavez Vive! La Lucha Sigue!"

Sponsored by Bay Area Latin America Solidarity Coalition. Endorsed by ANSWER Coalition, SOA Watch-San Francisco; FMLN-Nor. California; Haiti Action Committee; Marin Task Force on the Americas; Nicaragua Center for Community Action; Party for Socialism and Liberation