Leftists gather in Brazil to protest capitalism, World Economic Forum

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Leftists slam capitalism at Social Forum in Brazil

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — Tens of thousands of leftists massed Monday to kick off five days of railing against unfettered capitalism at the World Social Forum, a gathering that protests the bankers and other leaders who attend the World Economic Forum at a Swiss ski resort.

Accompanied by thundering drumbeats and samba blaring from sound trucks, a crowd of exuberant activists estimated by police to number 25,000 marched through Porto Alegre waving communist flags and shouting socialist slogans.

They assailed corporate greed as the main reason the world plunged into an economic slump and trumpeted causes ranging from total state control of nations’ petroleum reserves to environmental preservation and animal rights in the 10th annual version of the event in this city near southern Brazil’s border with Uruguay.

Lingering fallout from the financial crisis is proof that the world economy must be retooled to benefit people, not big companies, said Francisco Whitaker, a Roman Catholic activist and co-founder of the social forum who was exiled from Brazil during its 1964-1995 dictatorship.

In contrast, the World Economic Forum that starts Wednesday in Davos is expected to see fewer leaders than in years past, and U.S. President Barack Obama’s plan to clamp down on the size and activity of banks is sure to be on the minds of many of the rich and powerful heading to Switzerland.

“They have driven the capitalist system into chaos,” said Sergio Bernardo, a Brazilian human rights activist sporting a bright red shirt emblazoned with the words “Bourgeoisie Stinks!” ”We’re letting them know we can create a world free of exploitation that will help the poor.”

Lingering fallout from the financial crisis is proof that the world economy must be retooled to benefit people, not big companies, said Francisco Whitaker, a Roman Catholic activist and co-founder of the World Social Forum who was exiled from Brazil during its 1964-1985 dictatorship.

He said that last year’s Davos conference was similar to a “wake” and that the lackluster turnout expected this year “gives the impression that capitalism is on the downfall and hitting its limits.”

Leftists are increasingly energized by the prospect of persuading governments to tackle corporate excess and spread more wealth to the needy, he said.

“We’re in the midst of true enthusiasm,” Whitaker said. “We may not change the world completely and all at once, but the change now can come from the bottom and spread. It’s surging and getting toward a critical mass.”

The World Social Forum serves as a platform for leftists to exchange ideas, though no proposals are formed following days of debate. Instead, participants are expected to take strategies back to their home countries and push for change locally.

While the economic crisis provided a perfect platform for advancing leftist movements, many failed to grasp the opportunity when the slump was at its worst, said Nandita Shah, co-director of India’s Akshara Centre, which supports women’s rights.

“I think there’s a crisis in the left and in our voice,” she said. “I hope these five days will bring us out of this visionless tunnel.”

Noticeably absent at this year’s social forum were protests directed against the United States. In years past, effigies of then President George W. Bush and American flags were burned during marches.

Gustavo de Biase, a 22-year-old Brazilian wearing a shirt proclaiming “Socialism is Liberty,” said leftists hope to influence President Barack Obama and other world leaders to embrace policies “of respect and equality aimed at lifting the poor out of misery.”

“We want to distribute the riches to people,” he said. “We’re fighting for a more equal society and we’re saying ‘Down with hunger’ and ‘Down with war.’”