Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has been participating in the opening of the World Social Forum

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Thursday January 27, 2005 17:48 by Shinner - Sinn Fein

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has been participating in the opening of the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil (26 January/27th January). Ms de Brún along with fellow MEPs, joined hundreds of thousands who marched through the streets of Porto Alegre carrying the message of the World Social Forum - that another world is possible.

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has been participating in the opening of the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil (26 January/27th January). Ms de Brún along with fellow MEPs, joined hundreds of thousands who marched through the streets of Porto Alegre carrying the message of the World Social Forum - that another world is possible.

The opening demonstration had a carnival atmosphere with artistic contributions from as far afield as India, Brazil, Uganda, Argentina, Australia, Haiti, Peru, France and Italy. Tickertape flew from the windows of buildings along the route as the march passed by. Those participating in the opening ceremony come from political groups, religious and environmental organisations and many community and campaigning groups from around the world. At one point participants laid stones, books and banners as symbols of the diversity of the World Social Forum process. There was also a minute‚s silence in memory of all those who suffered from the tsunami in Asia and Africa.

Speaking from the opening of the WSF, Ms de Brún said:

"This truly diverse gathering has an upbeat carnival atmosphere and is a real celebration of the diversity of the World Social Forum. Behind the carnival atmosphere, however, lies a serious message that we must all act to create a fairer and more sustainable world. That is the real work that will take place in the meetings and seminars in the coming days." ENDS