Florida Union Leader in Porto Alegre March Against the FTAA

  
The World Social Forum ended its activities on February 4 with a March Against the FTAA. One of the main speakers was Monica Russo, chairperson of South Florida Jobs with Justice and the leader of the Service Employees International Union - SEIU 1199 Florida.

According to the local newspapers, 20,000 people participated in the march, which was filled with signs and banners protesting the FTAA and other related themes. An Uncle Sam puppet was burned, but no flags! Unfortunately, so many marchers participated that by the time the speeches got under way many people had already left. A hard core of the more radical leftist groups, including the PSTU and the Partido Obrero, lined up in front of the speakers' platform.

Russo was introduced by the assistant director of international affairs of the AFL-CIO, Stanley Gacek, who is a well-known Brazilianist. Speaking flawless Portuguese, Russo disassociated the American people from the policies of the Bush administration and emphasized the unity and solidarity of US workers with their Latin American counterparts. Her speech was well received and symbolized an exciting connection between Florida and the World Social Forum at one of its culminating moments. Considering all the talk about the low profile of the US at the event, Russo's appearance went a long way to improving the image of this country's participation in the WSF.