The first ever United States Social Forum opened on Wednesday, June 27 with a march of thousands through downtown Atlanta protesting a proposal to privatize Atlanta's only public hospital. ( Photos: 1 | 2 ) Trade unionists, peace activists, community organizers, students, IMCistas, and others are converging on Atlanta this week to march, rally and develop strategies in their fight against the ultra-right. An Indymedia Caucus is scheduled for Saturday at 5pm, near the Pine Street stage in the park, or inside at the Indymedia table in case of rain.

Leaders of transnational corporations and countries whose governments represent their interests have held an annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, since 1971. The World Social Forum movement developed in 2001 and has been held every year since as a peoples’ response to the ruling-class gathering in Davos. The Atlanta event is the first U.S. Social Forum.

The U.S. forum, which has drawn over 5,000 registrants, was planned by 50 labor, peace and community groups from around the country. In addition to the march and rally, hundreds of workshops, panels and cultural events will take place over the five days of its sessions, June 27th-July 1st.

Many of the groups attending the forum see this as a significant time in U.S. history, ripe with the possibility of defeating the ultra-right here at home and improving conditions for masses of people around the world. As the basis for their optimism, they cite the defeat of many right-wingers in the U.S. elections in 2006, the almost total loss of support for the Bush administration’s Iraq policy, and the anger in the country over the failure of the federal government to respond adequately to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

Read More | US Indymedia Coverage | United States Social Forum Website | Ida B. Wells Media Justice Center

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