JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A coalition of local activist organizations turned parts of Bay Street into a vibrant scene of protest, complete with signs and chants, as they rallied against the recent upheaval in Venezuela and the detainment of President Nicolas Maduro.

Among the chants, participants defiantly declared, “Cold and rain, we don’t care, U.S. out of everywhere.”

Approximately 50 demonstrators assembled on the steps of the Charles E. Bennett Federal Building for an impromptu rally, united in their belief that the United States should not intervene in the situation.

Speakers at the rally raised questions about the underlying motives of the strike, suggesting that it might be more about controlling natural resources like oil than ensuring the safety and well-being of the Venezuelan populace.

Another pointed out we have issues here at home that need addressing, specifically referencing the waitlists at the homeless shelters in Jacksonville.

First Coast News asked one organizer what the ideal outcome of the rally would be.

“Our demands are for no war in Venezuela, for U.S. to take their hands out of Venezuela and no more blood for oil,” said Freedom Road Socialist Organization Member, Jamison Collins-Morita. “They have the power to forge the future of their own country and the U.S. did not need to intervene at all.”

The rally happened in front of Senator Rick Scott’s office, who shared his sentiment on the strike in two posts on X, saying in part: “A new day is here for Venezuela and Latin America. The United States and our hemisphere are safer because of President Trump’s leadership.”

Going on in a later post to say: “Maduro was indicted in a U.S. Court and was told to stop sending drugs into our country to kill our kids and grandkids, but he refused. This is peace through strength on full display.”

Senator Scott’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for a statement on the rally at his office.