Former Polish President and Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa will fly to New York following an invitation from protesters involved in the ongoing Occupy Wall Street protests.

“How could I not respond?” Mr Wałęsa told Lublin-based newspaper Dziennik Wschodni. “The thousands of people gathered near Wall Street are worried about their future, about the fate of their country. This is something I understand.”

Lech Wałęsa

Occupy Wall Street protests started nearly a month ago in New York City's Zuccotti Park, and have since spread to several US and Canadian cities. Those involved have denounced the greed, corruption, and economic inequality they perceive to be taking place in the US. President Barack Obama called the protests a reflection of a “broad-based frustration about how [the American] financial system works.”

“Capitalism has found itself in a crisis and something has to be done because the world is in rebellion” said Mr Wałęsa. “Ordinary people express the truth about the general issues. They deserve respect and serious treatment. If the Wall Street protesters thought I could contribute [to their cause], then I'm ready” he added.

The former shipyard worker and Nobel Peace Prize winner has not specified when he intends to fly to the US.

Veronika Joy