Tens of thousands of anti-globalization activists have rallied in southern Brazil for an annual meeting meant to counter the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The activists massed in Porto Alegre, Brazil Wednesday as they opened the annual World Social Forum, which is expected to address the war in Iraq, poverty, debt forgiveness for developing countries and other issues.
As many as 100,000 people from around the world are taking part in the six-day World Social Forum.
Brazilian leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is scheduled to address the gathering Thursday.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.