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Second anti-WEF protest to go ahead

The Bern authorities have approved a demonstration by an anti-globalisation organisation protesting against the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos.

Last Saturday over 200 members of the “Alliance for Global Opposition” were detained in the Swiss capital for carrying makeshift weapons and throwing firebombs.

The trouble came after officials revoked permission for a planned demonstration by the group.

The leader of the anti-capitalist group, Giovanni A. Schumacher, has promised a peaceful demonstration this weekend.

City officials granted permission under strict terms. Organisers have promised to carefully monitor the demonstration using mobile telephones and will be held responsible for any violence that occurs, according to police.

Some politicians had been opposed to granting permission, while others said the protest ought to go ahead, as it was an important part of the public debate.

Bern officials decided to ban last weekend’s demonstration after comments made by Schumacher in a television interview.

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