Ahead of December’s presidential elections, Venezuelans don’t have many avenues within their own government to plead for free and fair elections. Political power is consolidated into the hands of a single party, and what’s more, that one party is very closely aligned to the ideals of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, who has not allowed a free and fair election in Cuba in 47 years. As a matter of fact, Castro’s operatives taken over many operations of the Venezuelan government, without even a smokescreen of “assistance,” but just as pure undisguised control.

What’s at stake in this December vote is Hugo Chavez’s ability to take absolute power. Based on a stacked parliament and a fully majority, he is likely to be named dictator for life after this election.

That’s why some Venezuelans in Europe are seeking to plead with the European Union to take up their case, to insist that the observations of EU observers in past elections are noted and the recommendations of the same EU people are put into effect. It’s a long shot of course. Not everyone in the EU bureaucracy is a passionate democrat. But in Europe, it’s the only shot they have.

Alek Boyd and his Venezuelan friends and well wishers have put together a freedom walk, from Germany to EU headquarters in Brussels to try to get this message across. Europeans respond to these kinds of symbolic expressions of protest, so it may well have an impact.

Alek’s story on this, and the contact info, is here.

UPDATE: Here is a photo of Alek and friends on the walk.