Europe Features

In photos: 'May Day Celebrations and Protests'

By M&C News May 1, 2008, 15:53 GMT

A flag with Karl Marx and 'Long Live Socialism' flies in Trafalgar Square during May Day celebrations in London, Britain, 01 May 2008. Hundreds of people from London's many different ethnic communities marched calling for workers rights and human rights. EPA/ANDY RAIN

Marchers holding a picture of former Russian leader Stalin march toward Trafalgar Square during May Day celebrations in London, Britain, 01 May 2008. Hundreds of people from London's many different ethnic communities marched calling for workers and human rights. EPA/ANDY RAIN

May Day demonstrators march towards Trafalgar Square during May Day celebrations in London, Britain, 01 May 2008. Hundreds of people from London's many different ethnic communities marched calling for workers rights and human rights. EPA/ANDY RAIN

Many red flags are shown not far from La Republique statue at the CGT May Day demonstration in Paris, France, 01 May 2008. Thousands of workers, among them many 'Sans Papiers' (undocumented), took to the streets to commemorate Workers Day and to demand changes in French law to permit the legalisation of undocumented workers. EPA/HORACIO VILLALOBOS

Chechens participate in a May Day demonstration carrying portraits of Russian outgoing President Vladimir Putin and President-elect Dmitry Medvedev in Grozny, Chechnya, Russia, 01 May 2008. EPA/KAZBEK VAKHAYEV

Plain clothes policemen arrest an activists of unregistered opposition youth organization "Malady Front" (Young Front) during May Day celebrations in Minsk, Belarus 01 May 2008. EPA/ANDREI LIANKEVICH

A 'Sans Papiers' (undocumented worker) marches with his face partially covered with CGT stickers at the trade unions May Day demonstration in Paris, France, 01 May 2008. Thousands of workers, among them many 'Sans Papiers' (undocumented), took to the streets to commemorate Workers Day and to demand changes in French law to permit the legalisation of undocumented workers. EPA/HORACIO VILLALOBOS

An old woman leads the march called by CC.OO. and UGT trade unions to mark the May Day called by the General Labour Confederation (CGT) in Granada, in the province of Andalucia, southern Spain, 01 May 2008. Labour Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from efforts of the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. EPA/JUAN FERRERAS

Several hundred people take part in the march called by UGT and CC.OO trade under the motto "It's time for equality, decent wages and productive investment" to mark the May Day in Madrid, center Spain, 01 May 2008. Labour Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from efforts of the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. EPA/MONDELO

Renata Polverini, leader of Ugl trade union speaks at the end of a rally iun Rome, Italy, 01 May 2008. EPA/CLAUDIO PERI

A of the Lebanese Communist party painted black to look like as mine worker carries a giant sickle, the symbols of communism, during a rally to mark Labour Day in Beirut, Lebanon, 01 May 2008. More than 2,000 members of the Lebanese Communist party marched in Beirut Streets to mark the May Day. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Flags of banned National-Bolshevik party wave in front of the monument of Bolshevik leader, Vladimir Lenin, during a pro-Communist demonstration in Moscow, Russia 01May 2008. Various political movements marked the 1st of May in Russia. EPA/SERGEI ILNITSKY

Guglielmo Epiafni leader of Cgil trade union, during his speech at the end of trade unions Cgil, Cisl, Uil, traditional First May rally in Ravenna, Italy, 01 May 2008. EPA/GIORGIO BENVENUTI

Former Soviet officers attend the May Day celebrations in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 01 May 2008. Ukrainian supporters of Communist party celebrated International Workers' Solidarity Day in the centre of Ukrainian capital Kiev. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

An Ukrainian woman dressed in national clothes shouts slogans during the May Day celebrations in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 01 May 2008. Ukrainian supporters of Communist party celebrated International Workers' Solidarity Day in the centre of Ukrainian capital Kiev. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

Ukrainians applaud during the May Day celebrations in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 01 May 2008. Ukrainian supporters of Communist party celebrated International Workers' Solidarity Day in the centre of Ukrainian capital Kiev. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

National Front Party Leader Jean Marie Le Pen (C) greets his supporters in front of the statue of Joan of Arc at the end of the party rally, in Paris, France, 01 May 2008. Mr Le Pen claim in his speech the danger of the liberal politic of President Nicolas Sarkozy. EPA/LUCAS DOLEGA

Red flags fly amidst a crowd during the May Day celebrations in downtown Kiev, Ukraine, 01 May 2008. Ukrainian supporters of Communist party celebrated International Workers' Solidarity Day in the centre of Ukrainian capital Kiev. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO

Members of the Iraqi Communist Party stage a rally on Labour Day, in Baghdad, Iraq, 01 May 2008 . The 01 May, or May Day, is generally celebrated as a day to celebrate workers around the world. EPA/ALI ABBAS

Participants of a Labour Day rally hold flags and balloons, Podolsk, 20 km. outside Moscow, Russia, 01 May 2008. More then 10.000 people participated in the Labour Day rally in Podolsk. EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV

Soldiers play music during a Labour Day rally in Podolsk, 20 km. outside Moscow, Russia, 01 May 2008. More then 10.000 people participated in the Labour Day rally in Podolsk. EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV

epa Participants of a Labour Day rally wave flowers, Podolsk, 20 km. outside Moscow, Russia, 01 May 2008. More then 10.000 people participated in the Labour Day rally in Podolsk. EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV

The slogan on a union man's vest reads 'Poor despite work' during a demonstration of the German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB) at Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, 01 May 2008. EPA/RAINER JENSEN

Turkish riot policemen run towards demonstrators throwing tear gas during the Workers Day celebration in Istanbul, Turkey on 01 May 2008. Turkish government denied permission to union confederations to gather at Taksim Square which is the main downtown square of the city. EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU

Protestors throw stones under at Istanbul riot police who reply with tear gas during the Workers Day celebration in Istanbul, Turkey on 01 May 2008. Turkish government not allowed union confederations gathered at Taksim Square which is the main downtown square of the city. EPA/KERIM OKTEN

Protestors walk under tear gas smoke during the Workers Day celebration in Istanbul, Turkey on 01 May 2008. Turkish government denied union confederations permission to gather at Taksim Square which is the main downtown square of the city. EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU

Members of the pro-presidential party United Russia march along Moscow streets during the demonstration in Moscow, Russia, on 01May 2008. Various political movements marked the 1st of May in Russia. EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV

Indonesian policemen stand guard during a May Day rally in front of the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 01 May 2008. About 20,000 Indonesian workers urge the government to prohibit the contract system for workers in every company. EPA/WEDA

Indonesian workers shout slogans during a rally due to May Day celebrationin front of parliament bulding in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 01 May 2008. About 20.000 Indonesian workers hold a protest to urge the government to prohibit the contract system for workers in every company. EPA/JURNASYANTO SUKARNO

Thousands of Indonesian labour workers march to parliament bulding during a rally due to May Day celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 01 May 2008. About 20.000 Indonesian labours urge government to prohibit contract system for workers in every company. EPA/JURNASYANTO SUKARNO

Indonesian labours shout slogans during a protest as part of May Day celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 30 April 2008. Hundreds of labourers urged the government to prohibit contract system for workers in every company. EPA/JURNASYANTO SUKARNO

Thai workers march from Democracy Monument to the Government House during a May Day demonstration in Bangkok, Thailand, 01 May 2008. Thousands of Thai labours demonstrate to mark May Day, calling to the government include a request for an adjustment of the daily minimum wage to Bt233 throughout the country and revamp social security and to speedily enforce safety law for labourers while at work. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK