‘Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!’ Thousands of Venezuelans gather in Miami to protest election

Milena Malaver
·1 min read

Venezuelans held a rally in Miami on Saturday to reject what they called “fraud” in the presidential elections in their country.

Sunday’s election caused widespread controversy after Venezuela’s longtime strongman Nicolás Maduro claimed victory despite evidence that opposition candidate Edmundo González had actually won.

Miami Commissioner Joe Carrollo announced the rally on social media and offered free parking for attendants.

María Teresa Morín, coordinator of Comando Con Vzla in the United States, had called on all Venezuelans in South Florida to participate in the demonstration, which took place at the Bayfront Park amphitheater in Downtown Miami.

“María Corina Machado made a call to all Venezuelans to attend in a peaceful way, to gather with family and friends, and to ask that the results of the presidential elections be respected,” said Morin at a press conference in Miami on Friday.

Thousands of people from babies to grandparents gathered at the rally adorned in their national colors of red, blue and yellow, waving Venezuelan flags and chanting “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”

Read more: Leader of Venezuelan opposition comes out of hiding to lead massive rally against Maduro

Here’s what the peaceful protest looked like:

Protestors react to speakers on stage during the protest in the Amphitheater at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami.
Protestors react to speakers on stage during the protest in the Amphitheater at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami.
A woman holds a Rosary as she prays during the protest.
A woman holds a Rosary as she prays during the protest.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava speaks to the crowd as Miami City Commissioner Joe Carollo, left and Doral Mayor Christi Fraga, right, listen along with Venezuelan community leaders and activists.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava speaks to the crowd as Miami City Commissioner Joe Carollo, left and Doral Mayor Christi Fraga, right, listen along with Venezuelan community leaders and activists.
A little girl waves a Venezuelan flag.
A little girl waves a Venezuelan flag.
Local Venezuelans protest at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami.
Local Venezuelans protest at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami.
Venezuelans living in Miami wave their national flag and chant ‘Freedom, Freedom, Freedom’ in Bayfront Park.
Venezuelans living in Miami wave their national flag and chant ‘Freedom, Freedom, Freedom’ in Bayfront Park.
Venezuelans living in South Florida make their voices heard at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami
Venezuelans living in South Florida make their voices heard at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami
A cross made out of pvc tubes bears the words No More Communism as local Venezuelans protest in Downtown Miami.
A cross made out of pvc tubes bears the words No More Communism as local Venezuelans protest in Downtown Miami.
Cuban exiles joined thousands of exiled Venezuelans living in South Florida and protested alongside their brothers and sisters in Venezuela as tensions in Venezuela continue to rise after Nicolás Maduro declared himself as the winner of last Sunday’s presidential election .
Cuban exiles joined thousands of exiled Venezuelans living in South Florida and protested alongside their brothers and sisters in Venezuela as tensions in Venezuela continue to rise after Nicolás Maduro declared himself as the winner of last Sunday’s presidential election .

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