Capture of Venezuelan president sparks protests across New Jersey
Protesters in Highland Park and Tom's River took to the streets, advocating against a potential military conflict between the United States and Venezuela.
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President Donald Trump's "large-scale strike" on Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro sparked significant backlash around the country, including in New Jersey.
Protesters in Highland Park and Tom's River took to the streets, advocating against a potential military conflict between the United States and Venezuela.
"You don't have to like Maduro to say that it's not right to abduct a sitting president. Now can Putin kidnap Zelenskyy? Can Iran kidnap Netanyahu ? Where does it stop?" said Kathy Scarborough, an organizer with the Central Jersey Coalition Against Endless War.
The White House announced the U.S. captured Maduro on weapons and drugs charges on Saturday.
Trump said he plans for the United States to "run" Venezuela for the foreseeable future.
"We've done this time after time in Haiti, in Chile, Iran...Maduro is not the shining beacon of democracy, but bringing more stability and overthrowing this government, I don't see it bringing anything but death and destruction to the people of Venezuela," protester Greg Russo said.
Other demonstrators were concerned about what escalation could mean for U.S. troops. They joined a chant of "no boots on the ground, no bombs in the air."
"A lot of people think that people like us are not patriotic," said Scott McGrath about the Highland Park demonstration. "This is patriotism...Letting my country know what direction we're heading in and how alarming it is."
Some expressed concerns over Trump's plans for the U.S. to seize Venezuelan oil reserves.
"Colonialism. Imperialism. We're going to invade a country. We're going to arrest their leadership, take over the country, and steal their resources. What else is this?" questioned Tom's River protester Larry Erickson.
Veteran at the Highland Park event Dave Hancock told News 12 his concern is over the legality of Trump's actions.
"I'm still in shock and I'm embarrassed because we're here reinforcing might makes right, and that's not how the game is played," he said.
