Posted on 01/29/2009 1:31:02 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
BELEM, Brazil — South American's most adamantly leftist leaders joined 100,000 activists Thursday in this steamy Amazon city, receiving a hero's welcome as they demanded what they called a long-needed overhaul of capitalism.
The presidents of Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Venezuela mingled with activists of all stripes at the World Social Forum, an annual protest against the World Economic Forum held for the planet's rich and powerful at the Swiss ski resort of Davos.
Arriving Thursday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the forum should be transformed from an event that traditionally debates global problems into one that proposes solutions.
"We must leave the trenches while maintaining the flags, fortifying the ideas, and launch a political ideological offensive everywhere," he said. "This forum can accomplish that."
About 500 advocates for landless Brazilians packed a sweltering gymnasium and roared in approval as Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa belted out the Cuban classic "Comandante Che Guevera," accompanied by a lone guitarist.
But the loudest cheers were for Chavez, who frequently criticizes the U.S. and capitalism. He was joined on stage by Bolivia's Evo Morales and Paraguay's Fernando Lugo.
"Chavez is fighting for people like me, and his presence validates our movement," said activist Nicinha Durans, who sported a bright red shirt reading "Hip Hop Militant."
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva decided to make his first social forum appearance in three years, bringing 13 government ministers with him instead of going to Switzerland.
(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...
Nutty Globalism breeds Communism....
All those who push Globalism, Free Trade, and other wealth distribution from the USA to other countries...you brought us Chavez and the return of Bolshevism
“transformed from an event that traditionally debates global problems into one that proposes solutions.”
Socialism is not a solution for anything.
Except, possibly, for power-hungry tyrants who crave more power.
For that alone, it works.
You just sound disappointed that you couldn’t make it down to Brazil for the protest.
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