About 40,000 Gather for Anti-globalization Rally in Southern France

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, August 09, 2003

About 40,000 Gather for Anti-globalization Rally in Southern France

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About 40,000 activists gathered Friday in the southern French province of Aveyron for a three-day anti-globalization rally aimed at the upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) talks in Cancun, Mexico.

Jose Bove, France's leading anti-globalization farmer jailed for leading the destruction of a McDonald store and genetically modified corn fields, was granted conditional release Saturday to attend the event.

Organizers said they expected 50,000 to 100,000 participants. By Friday evening, about 10,000 to 12,000 cars parked near the bucolic Larzac plateau where the rally is to be held and a trafficjam of 13 kilometers blocked the access to the plateau, according to French televisions.

Dozens of discussion forums are planned for the rally on topicssuch as the WTO, genetically modified foods, the future of agriculture in Europe and fair trade.

French domestic problems including reforms on pension system, medical care and unemployment benefits for arts workers will also be discussed.

The temperature in the Larzac region reached 35 degrees Celsiuson Friday afternoon. Local authorities have prepared a supplementary supply of water to make sure that the rally would not suffer from the stifling heat and draught that will reign overthe European continent in the coming days.

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