A group of three dozen international academics and activists led by Tariq Ali and Walden Bellow have signed an open letter expressing support for Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. The letter begins “We, the signers of this manifesto, wish to express our solidarity with the struggle that, alongside President Hugo Chavez, the majority of the Venezuelan people are waging in defense of their right to freely determine their future.” On Aug. 15, voters will cast ballots in a presidential referendum which will decide the future of Chavez.