Brasília, 1/24/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The opening of the III World Social Forum was marked yesterday by a march of an estimated 100,000 people through the streets of Porto Alegre in favor of peace and a world without war. There were many banners and posters, in many languages, some attacking "neo-liberal oppression," but most of the messages expressed opposition to an attack on Iraq.

The marchers caused a traffic jam that stretched for an estimated 20 kilometers. The demonstration lasted for three hours. According to the police, there were no problems with violence. (AB)