London: Huge protest planned

2004-10-16 14:48

London - Thousands of activists representing a rainbow of anti-globalisation, anti-war and anti-racism groups gathered in London on Saturday for the third European Social Forum, with Iraq and the United States presidential election at the top of many people's agendas.

Organisers said at least 20 000 people were expected to attend three days of speeches, workshops and debates, culminating on Sunday with an anti-war march through central London to Trafalgar Square.

"We're together in opposition to the message that there's no alternative to free market globalisation," said Dave Timms, a spokesperson for the World Development Movement, a participating organisation.

"But it's also a forum in opposition to the war and in opposition to racism."

The US election is a central focus of many of the activists.

"The war in Iraq is clearly one of the big themes for this conference," Timms said. "And this close to the US election, this gives a forum for people who dislike George Bush to rally."

The forum is the European branch of the World Social Forum, which meets annually in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Previous conferences in Florence in 2002 and Paris last year unfolded amid tight security, but London's authorities have welcomed the activists. Mayor Ken Livingstone - a Labour Party member dubbed Red Ken for his radical beliefs - angered Conservative politicians by committing tens of thousands of pounds to support the event, including the provision of free unlimited subway and bus travel for participants.

"The European Social Forum will bring tens of thousands of people to London to discuss strategies to achieve global justice," Livingstone said. "As a major international city, London has a direct interest in all these issues." - AP

- SAPA