Riot police working overtime as unions & anarchists link arms for May Day 1/2 mil in Germany

[seemslikeadream]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6207808.ece

Protesters turned traditional May Day demonstrations into a rallying call against global capitalism as unrest spread through city streets across Europe yesterday.

Politicians in Germany and France had been warning that the financial crisis was about to spark social unrest. In some towns the words became reality, even if the skirmishes and petrol bombings felt choreographed.

“We want social disturbances, upheaval, and we will do everything towards that end,” said Markus Bernhardt, a spokesman for Class Struggle Bloc, which helped to steer the riots. “The system is violent and now violence is being met by violence.”

Unions estimated that 484,000 people took part in 400 protests across Germany. Riots in Berlin began on Thursday night when cars and rubbish containers were set alight. On May Day morning 700 anarchists blocked a railway station in an attempt to sabotage a neo-Nazi march.

A force of 5,000 German police officers found it difficult to contain the rioting. Officials said 48 officers were hurt and 57 people detained. “One can only advise drivers not to park their cars on the street,” Dieter Glietsch, the head of the Berlin police, said



http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200905011306dowjonesdjonline000548&title=german-may-day-rallies-draw-485000-union

German May Day Rallies Draw 485,000 - Unions


BERLIN (AFP)--Peaceful May Day rallies drew nearly half a million people across Germany on Friday, unions said, but police were bracing for clashes with and between far-right and far-left groups after nightfall.

With Europe's largest economy suffering its deepest slump since World War II, almost 485,000 took part in over 400 Labour Day gatherings in towns and cities across the country, the DGB union federation said.

Violence is a regular feature of May 1 in Germany, however, and police nationwide were bracing for more running battles after clashes in the early hours in Berlin and Hamburg and during the day on Friday in Dortmund.

In Dortmund, some 200 far-right extremists used with sticks and stones to attack a rally organized by trade unions. They also fought with police, who dispersed the skinheads with truncheons and took 150 into custody.

[MADem]

1. What an asshole--we want violence? I'd like his ass arrested.

How does this immature, childish tantrum shit "help" anything?

...48 officers were hurt and 57 people detained. “One can only advise drivers not to park their cars on the street,” Dieter Glietsch, the head of the Berlin police, said....

[seemslikeadream]

5. The problem is some people in Germany remember Fascism

[tbyg52]

2. Darn, for a minute I thought your were talking about here. Silly me.

Edited to add: Oops, I need to learn to read instead of skim if I'm replying.....

I sure do appreciate these people, although I hope for no violence. - OOPS, see below.

Edited to add that I *really* need to read the whole thing before posting - I'm used to skimming. I sure don't support anybody who sets out to incite violence.

[malaise]

3. More here

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


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8028237.stm

[seemslikeadream]

4. Thanks and some pics for you

Reuters Pictures 10 minutes ago
Riot police run following clashes with May Day revellers and demonstrators in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg late May 1, 2009.


Getty Images 11 minutes ago
Handout pitcture released by ABN of supporters of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez as they attend a rally during May Day in Caracas, May 1, 2009.



Reuters Pictures 9 minutes ago
Medics carry an injured person following clashes with May Day revellers and demonstrators in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg late May 1, 2009.


Reuters Pictures 1 hour ago
German riot police arrest protestors during May Day demonstrations in Berlin, May 1, 2009.




Reuters Pictures 1 hour ago
Nigerian workers carry placards during May Day celebrations in Lagos May 1, 2009. Picture taken May 1, 2009.

Reuters Pictures 3 hours ago
A woman takes cover from tear gas after police clashed with members of the opposition during a May Day demonstration in Caracas May 1, 2009.

[malaise]

6. Thanks

:fistbump: