Florida Senate - 2014 (NP) SR 1658 By Senator Flores 37-02130-14 20141658__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing the people of Venezuela and 3 their peaceful protest as they call for democratic 4 change. 5 6 WHEREAS, the hallmark of democracy is the free and peaceful 7 exercise of rights guaranteed under the constitution of a 8 democratically elected government, and 9 WHEREAS, the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of 10 Venezuela guarantees its citizens full political rights, 11 including the right to freely assemble for democratic political 12 purposes, and 13 WHEREAS, the preamble of the Charter of the Organization of 14 American States affirms that “representative democracy is an 15 indispensable condition for the stability, peace, and 16 development” in Latin America, and 17 WHEREAS, Article 1 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter 18 recognizes that “the peoples of the Americas have a right to 19 democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote 20 and defend it,” and 21 WHEREAS, those who cherish democratic principles condemn 22 the perpetration of violence and intimidation against the 23 Venezuelan people, NOW, THEREFORE, 24 25 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 26 27 That the people of Venezuela and their peaceful call for 28 democratic change are recognized as they attempt to exercise 29 their constitutional rights in opposing a ruthless and 30 oppressive government.