Release Leopoldo Lopez -- Advocate for peaceful protest. Loving father. Friend. Venezuelan opposition leader
Release Leopoldo Lopez -- Advocate for peaceful protest. Loving father. Friend. Venezuelan opposition leader
The Issue
On February 18th 2014, Leopoldo Lopez, 42, kissed goodbye to wife and two young children and handed himself over to the Venezuelan authorities, surrounded by tens of thousands of his supporters -- this petition is for his release.
Though Leo is a politician, this is not about politics. Others are fighting that battle -- even in Hollywood, Jared Leto and Kevin Spacey have this week highlighted the plight of the people of Venezuela. This petition is about freedom & democracy -- No nation can flourish if voices of dissent are silenced with imprisonment. Leo must be released. We hope you will sign it and forward to others.
Some background:
Leo has been working tirelessly for years to ignite change and government reform in his home country of Venezuela. He is fighting for his belief in democracy and his dream of a free and just Venezuela. Educated in the USA, at Kenyon College and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Leo is a believer in democracy. He was an intense and engaging student, a uniter, a strong leader and a risk taker. He has always believed in the power of protest and taking a firm stand. As the most prominent leader of the Venezuelan opposition movement, Leo has applied sustained pressure on the failing Maduro government. Over the last several weeks, he has shown strength and courage by spearheading peaceful street protests and demonstrations. In response, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused Leo of inciting unrest and violence. On February 18th, Leo organized a massive march and delivered a moving speech to a throng of supporters in the streets of Caracas. He turned himself in to the authorities, facing false charges of murder, terrorism and conspiracy. These charges have since been dropped to conspiracy and arson; however, if convicted, Leo faces ten years in prison. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have declared his arrest illegal, unconstitutional and against every principle of human rights. Leo remains in Ramos Verde military prison. He is strong and resolute in this fight for peaceful democratic change in Venezuela, “If my imprisonment helps awake our people, it will have been worth it.”Amnesty International call arrest "an affront to justice"
Find Free Leopoldo on Facebook
More about Leo
The Issue
On February 18th 2014, Leopoldo Lopez, 42, kissed goodbye to wife and two young children and handed himself over to the Venezuelan authorities, surrounded by tens of thousands of his supporters -- this petition is for his release.
Though Leo is a politician, this is not about politics. Others are fighting that battle -- even in Hollywood, Jared Leto and Kevin Spacey have this week highlighted the plight of the people of Venezuela. This petition is about freedom & democracy -- No nation can flourish if voices of dissent are silenced with imprisonment. Leo must be released. We hope you will sign it and forward to others.
Some background:
Leo has been working tirelessly for years to ignite change and government reform in his home country of Venezuela. He is fighting for his belief in democracy and his dream of a free and just Venezuela. Educated in the USA, at Kenyon College and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Leo is a believer in democracy. He was an intense and engaging student, a uniter, a strong leader and a risk taker. He has always believed in the power of protest and taking a firm stand. As the most prominent leader of the Venezuelan opposition movement, Leo has applied sustained pressure on the failing Maduro government. Over the last several weeks, he has shown strength and courage by spearheading peaceful street protests and demonstrations. In response, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused Leo of inciting unrest and violence. On February 18th, Leo organized a massive march and delivered a moving speech to a throng of supporters in the streets of Caracas. He turned himself in to the authorities, facing false charges of murder, terrorism and conspiracy. These charges have since been dropped to conspiracy and arson; however, if convicted, Leo faces ten years in prison. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have declared his arrest illegal, unconstitutional and against every principle of human rights. Leo remains in Ramos Verde military prison. He is strong and resolute in this fight for peaceful democratic change in Venezuela, “If my imprisonment helps awake our people, it will have been worth it.”Amnesty International call arrest "an affront to justice"
Find Free Leopoldo on Facebook
More about Leo
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Petition created on 1 March 2014