Every Saturday from 3-4:30 p.m., Peace Fresno holds protests for political change on Blackstone and Nees. On Jan. 7, protesters gathered at Manchester Mall for the No War on Venezuela Global Day of Action.

The event was organized by Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Veterans for Peace and Peace Fresno.

People brought signs, speakers and microphones to voice their concerns on U.S intervention in Venezuela and increased military involvement under the Trump administration. Protesters prepared speeches and essays to share.

“We’re [the U.S] spending lots of money to be intruding in another countries sovereignty. And we’ve killed lots of people in the process,” Peace Fresno Vice President Anne Merrill said. 

Merrill spoke about how U.S. President Donald Trump said he doesn’t have to follow international laws. 

“So what’s to say another [country] can do what we’re [the government] doing? It seems to me like we’re going into chaos,” Merrill said.

Peace Fresno member Jose Luis Zorrilla Sanchez said the time of caring about what the government thinks is over.

 “The system [the government] doesn’t care about you. They are not going to protect you, they 

don’t care about what you think. They just want you obedient and silent,” Sanchez said.

Bobbi Rocha, a local protester, claimed the actions taken on Venezuela by the U.S. are illegal. 

“I don’t think his [Trump] motivations are good for our country,” Rocha said.

Rocha said she decided to protest because she believes it’s important that people use their voices.

“Throughout history it has been effective for people to show up and make their voices heard, that’s why I’m here today,” Rocha said.

Protesters made it clear where they stand, and they won’t be backing down.

“Stay together,” Sanchez said. “It’s time to fight, it’s time to show up for yourself. This isn’t just about a country. If it was just about one country, just the people in Venezuela would be protesting for their own country.”