as violence continues in ven waila, protesters in the bay area are showing call darety. nbc bay area christy smith has their story from san francisco. >> the people don't want it, but they're being pressed to participate. >> reporter: mia madrid spoke out about those opposed to an election that would low nicholas mudureo to replace it with a new assembly. >> it's inserting more uncertainty and trying to through a procedure that is not constitutional to rewrite the constitution so they can have a stronger hold on power. >> reporter: many stayed away from the polls today. maduro called the vote when violence, shortages of food and medicine in a country rich with oil reserves. about 17 people were killed today in protests. and more than 100 people have died since protests began in april. the election was widely condemned by countries who believed it would weaken democracy. as people here watch with concern over what might happen next. >> people in ven waila want to live in freedom. >> reporter: christy smith, nbc bay area news. >>> we will continue to follow the development