CARACAS, Jan 25: Activists from across the Americas on Tuesday kicked off an anti-globalisation gathering in Caracas with a march against war marked by slogans blasting the US president and hailing Venezuela and Cuba’s leftist leaders. Hundreds of Americans took part in the march, including Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a US soldier killed in Iraq, who gained notoriety last year when she camped outside US President George Bush’s ranch to protest the invasion.
“We need to stop the war in Iraq, we need to bring our troops home immediately,” Ms Sheehan said to rousing cheers from the more than 10,000 people who participated in the demonstration that marks the start of the six-day World Social Forum in Caracas.
“We need to see that George Bush and the rest of them are tried for crimes against humanity,” said Ms Sheehan, who is attending the forum at the invitation of the Venezuelan government.
Many participants professed profound admiration for their host, President Hugo Chavez, seen by many as the standard-bearer of the new left in Latin America. Critics however accuse him of using the event to showcase his leftist revolution.
“I admire him for his resolve against my government and its meddling,” Ms Sheehan said.
Another US participant, Pilar Maez, 23, said Mr Chavez managed to inspire others through his efforts to combat poverty in this oil-rich country.
“It’s important to have a person people can look up to as a leader, something we lack in the United States right now,” said Mr Maez, of the US-Cuba labour exchange group.
The activists hailed not only Mr Chavez but also Cuba’s communist President Fidel Castro and Bolivia’s newly elected president. “Long live Comandante Chavez, long live Fidel, long live Evo Morales,” they chanted.
“The forum will strengthen the advance of the left in the region,” said Cuban Culture Minister Abel Pietro.—AFP
