NPR: Thousands of Venezuelans March for Press Freedom

Thousands of Venezuelans March for Press Freedom

It seems that Venezuelans are not going to just sit on their hands when it comes to free speech. On Wednesday -- Press Freedom Day in Venezuela -- thousands of the country's citizens joined a march in Caracas to protest a government decision to close a TV station that had often been critical of President Hugo Chavez.

An Associated Press photo shows the throng of marchers as it moved toward the headquarters of Radio Caracas Television, which stopped broadcasting May 27 after the government refused to renew its license. Many journalists taped their mouths shut in protest of the government's actions.

The march occurred during the Copa America Soccer Tournament, one of the most important soccer tournaments in the world, which is being held in Venezuela for the first time. As the Gateway Pundit blog notes, having such a huge march happen during the tournament could turn out to be a major embarrassment for Chavez.

However, he wasn't there to see it in person. Chavez was on his way to Russia for a state visit.

4:38 PM ET | 06-28-2007 | permalink

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