May Day protests held across Europe

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: aljazeera

Tens of thousands of May Day protesters have taken to the streets across Europe, clashing with police in several cities amid mounting social unrest over the global economic crisis.

Traditional Labour Day demonstrations were reported to have turned violent in Germany, Greece and Turkey, while thousands of protesters rallied in Russia, France and Spain.

In Berlin, demonstrators hurled bottles and rocks at police on Friday, injuring a number of officers, while clashes were also reported in Hamburg.

The protests were fuelled by the worsening financial crisis, especially in Germany, where the economy is expected to shrink by six per cent this year.

"No one could have imagined that this crisis could have been so profound," Michael Sommer, head of the DGB trade union federation, told a crowd in Berlin.

"There is no light at the end of the tunnel."



Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/05/20095112418588426.html

[Blue_Tires]

1. BBC photos:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/8028861.stm

[Joanne98]

2. May Day turns violent in Turkey, Germany, Greece

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - May Day protesters clashed with riot police in Germany, Turkey and Greece on Friday while thousands angry at the government's responses to the global financial crisis took to the streets in France and Spain.

Rising unemployment across Europe and beyond has added intensity to May Day marches as last year's market crash and banking meltdown rolls into the real economy.

There were early morning clashes in Germany and protests in Istanbul swiftly turned violent. Greek police clashed with self-styled anarchists. Demonstrations in France and Spain appeared largely peaceful.

Turkish riot police fired water cannon and tear gas, firing shots and pepper spray to disperse masked protesters. Young men hurled stones and Molotov cocktails, smashing bank and shop windows in side streets.

An Istanbul police spokesman said 68 demonstrators were detained and 11 police wounded. Leftists and Kurdish separatists regularly clash with police at demonstrations in Turkey and the May Day protest last year also turned violent.

Turkey's government had declared May Day, traditionally marked by rallies by labor unions, a public holiday this year under pressure from the unions.

"Those who are here are unemployed and need work," said Mehmet Guleryuz, a film director. "These are students who cannot pay tuition fees. Things are bad everywhere but it hits Turkey hard."

Almost one in three young people in Turkey is without a job and the government fears social unrest and increased ethnic tension because of the downturn. Labor unions, traditionally weak, have become increasingly vocal.

GERMAN CLASHES, FRENCH MARCHES

Continued>>>
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL129973220090501

[reggie the dog]

3. I went to the demonstration in my little town this morning

perhaps a thousand people demonstrated. There are 35000 residents here so one in 35 is not too bad. Traditionally less people demonstrate on may day than on days of strikes because people spend their holiday with their families whereas a strike day is a day to take it to the streets. This year it is a Friday so many folks left town for the weekend. There were more people in France than last year though, that is a good sign. We will keep needling the government so as to protect our rights as workers.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Something to celebrate this May Day -- workers owning the means of production at Chrysler!

Well, 55% anyway. :)

[Vidar]

5. Good to hear.