Venezuelan President Maduro Meets with Black Leaders in Harlem

While in New York for the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met with leaders from the Black community in Harlem Monday, discussing various issues including police brutality and structural racism.

During the the People of African Descent Leadership Summit, President Maduro listened to a panel of activists and experts discuss the current socio-economic challenges faced by Black communities in the United States.

In response, the Venezuelan leader expressed solidarity with the victims of police brutality and discriminatory policing tactics.

“From South America, please believe me when I tell you, that we have also suffered along with you against this old narrative of racism, which continues to afflict our people,” Maduro stated.

During his speech, President Maduro highlighted the need to form “a new radical consciousness of humanism” in efforts to combat racial inequalities.

Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez reported that Danny Glover, the actor and chairman of the Trans-Africa Forum, confirmed he remains a “great friend of Venezuela” in his address, by “highlighting the legacy and leadership of Hugo Chavez for the people of the Caribbean.”

Also present at the event were Estela Vasquez of the 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers union and Dr. Ron Daniels, president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century.

The congress was hosted by New York state senator Bill Perkins.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived in New York last Friday to participate in the U.N. General Assembly – where he is due to speak today – and the Sustainable Development Summit.

Original article by TeleSUR English. Additional reporting by Venezuelanalysis.com.