ELVIA GÓMEZ
EL UNIVERSAL

"Nooo!" shouted demonstrators rallying on the Bolívar Avenue to reject President Hugo Chávez's proposed changes to the Venezuelan Constitution. They shouted No! when journalist Mary Montes announced at 5 pm that the demonstration closing their anti-reform campaign was over.

Party activists, student and community leaders attended the rally and sent a common message: they asked Venezuelans to vote and meet their responsibility to defend the people's will.

Demonstrators came from different social strata and different political parties. They applauded all of the leaders who took the floor, particularly the student leaders. Speeches lasted one hour and 50 minutes.

Speakers stressed that what is at stake in next December 2 referendum on the intended constitutional reform is not the Presidency of Venezuela or the "head" of Hugo Chávez, but the future of several million Venezuelans.

Once again they clarified that their mobilizations do not intend to onverthrow President Chávez.

Speakers included Víctor Bolívar (Acción Democrática), José Antonio España (Movimiento al Socialismo), Andrés Velásquez (La Causa R), Enrique Sierra (community leader), Luis Ignacio Planas (Copei), Eduardo Torres (Bandera Roja), Antonio Ledezma (Alianza Bravo Pueblo), Rafael Arteaga (UNE), Carlos Ocariz (Primero Justicia), governor Manuel Rosales (Un Nuevo Tiempo), Freddy Guevara (Andrés Bello Catholic University), Yon Goicoechea (Andrés Bello Catholic University), Mayors Henrique Capriles Randonski (Primero Justicia) and Leopoldo López (Un Nuevo Tiempo) and Ricardo Sánchez (Central University of Venezuela).

Before the act began, Enrique Márquez, member of Electoral Matters Taskforce of the organizations opposed to the reform, claimed that Tibisay Lucena, chair of the National Electoral Council (CNE), threatened to prevent live television broadcast of the rally if they did not remove two gigantic posters showing Liberator Simón Bolívar's image and words.

Márquez said Lucena made a phone call demanding the dissenters to remove the backdrop of the dais because it included the colors of the Venezuelan flag, but they did not meet this order.

No! No! No!
A helicopter of the Scientific, Penal, and Criminology Investigation Agency (Cipcp) flew over the demonstration since the beginning. This aircraft was subquently joined by other three.

Demonstrators shouted they crowded the Bolívar Avenue "without buses," meaning that people attending the rally were not brought to Caracas in buses, just like the government does during pro-Chávez demonstrations.

The politicians and student leaders who took the floor addressed Venezuelans who have not made a decision on whether they are going to cast their ballot next Sunday. They urged these people to understand that voting is the only antidote against government abuses.

"Our country wanted to see all of the people who reject the reform united, and we did it!" said student leader Freddy Guevara.

"This rally honors our ancestors who fought for us to be free," said student leader Yon Goicoechea. "(President Chávez), you can stay in power as long as you respect the Constitution."

Student leader Ricardo Sánchez stressed that thanks to the student movement the Venezuelan people have regained the National Anthem and the right to be on the streets.

Translated by Maryflor Suárez R.
msuarez@eluniversal.com