Bush to be enemy number one

2004-01-09 11:17

Mumbai - Mumbai is set to be the scene of six days of noisy protests against US policies, particularly the occupation of Iraq, as the world's anti-globalisation activists hold their annual get-together.

While the tens of thousands of activists heading for the January 16-21 World Social Forum (WSF) have already begun to spar - with the far-left holding its own more militant meet - one glue that binds the movement is fierce opposition to President George W Bush.

"It's now more or less proved that US foreign policies are against the basic concepts of humanity," said Tushar Joag, who is on the WSF central organising committee.

"We at the forum will oppose what the imperialist forces led by the US are up to," he said.

He said organisers were even considering reserving one hall just for debates and demonstrations against US actions, particularly the war that ousted Saddam Hussein.

Anti-US plays and doccies

"Hundreds of activists at any given time will be seen protesting and keeping the issue alive," Joag said. "The amphitheatre that is coming up at the venue will also showcase anti-US plays and documentaries."

The far-left, which denounces the World Social Forum as part of the globalised system, plans a march on the US consulate "to demand a withdrawal of the occupation forces from Iraq and show support for the resistance," said Darshan Pal, a co-organiser of "Resistance 2004."

Mumbai is already seeing the anti-US tone, with massive banners put up in the centre of the city reading "Die Bush Die!" and "Smash US-led Imperialism!"

The last World Social Forum, held in Porto Alegre in Brazil, turned into a rallying ground against the impending war in Iraq, with thousands of activists holding marches.

It is the first time the World Social Forum is being held in Asia, in a bid to win supporters for the anti-globalisation movement in a continent that is home to half the world's population and suffers gaping inequalities.

The forum started in 2001 in Brazil, where president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been an icon for WSF activists.

But the Brazilian leader's fans do not include the far-leftists who are putting together Resistance 2004.

"What has Lula really done? He's dictated by the IMF and the World Bank," said Pal, the Resistance 2004 organiser.

"The WSF says globalisation should be humanised. We think it cannot be humanised. We have to fight the US imperialism against the world," he said.

Pal said Resistance 2004 would draw at least 2,000 people, compared with the 75,000 registered to attend the World Social Forum.

Some activists will attend both the WSF and Resistance 2004, including Indian novelist Arundhati Roy, known for her staunch criticism of US policies.

Organisers said Roy is scheduled to attend anti-war workshops at both meets.

- AFP