Free Republic

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil – Leftists who converged in Brazil to protest what they view as uncontrolled capitalism ended the World Social Forum on Friday with vows to take advantage of the financial crisis to promote a global socialist agenda. Activists at the annual countercultural gathering against the World Economic Forum under way at the Swiss ski resort of Davos said the meltdown proves the business titans attending the economic forum shouldn't be permitted to help reshape the global economy. About 30,000 people attended the 10th annual social forum .. They railed against unfettered capitalism they claimed is responsible for corporate...

CARACAS, Venezuela — The World Social Forum started as an alternative to the market-friendly World Economic Forum, but now there's an alternative to the alternative. Annoyed by all the focus on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, some anti-globalization activists have split from the World Social Forum to hold their own "Alternative Social Forum" in the Venezuelan capital. Disgruntled activists complain the ubiquitous red T-shirts of Chavez's party and rows of promotional booths are everywhere at the main event, stifling debate and undermining the forum's capacity to act as a catalyst for social change. "The World Social Forum was born as an...