Occupy protestors set up igloo camp

Following in the footsteps of Occupy Paradeplatz in Zurich and Occupy Wall Street in New York, Occupy WEF is setting up camp in Davos to protest against what it views as the injustices of capitalism.

The first protesters have already arrived in the Swiss mountain resort, where they plan to build several igloos that will serve both as lodgings and the main base for their activities during the annual meeting of global leaders that starts on Saturday.

Organizers completed construction on Monday of the first structure at Camp Igloo, which will eventually boast two heated teepees, a field kitchen, and several small ice shelters sleeping two people each. In total, organisers expect about 50 people to participate in the protests and sleep in freezing temperatures.

Local authorities gave permission to build the camp in a parking lot near the train station, outside the security perimeter that surrounds the WEF meetings.

David Roth, president of the youth wing of the Swiss Socialist Party, said he is in talks with WEF organizers aimed promoting dialogue with participants.

"It is the decisions of the few which have led us into the crisis of recent years and now the same people are posing as the solution to these problems," news agency Reuters quoted Roth as saying.

"This is the wrong solution as it is undemocratic and cynical. Democracy is not only the right path for the Arab states but is also urgently needed again in the West," he added.