May Day Marches

May 1 is known as International Workers Day, and many take part in what are meant to me peaceful demonstrations to provoke a better occupational climate. In the U.S. demonstrators were mainly protesting against Arizona's new strict immigration laws. The majority of Asian participants were rallying for better working conditions and wage increases. There were 2.5 million participants throughout Russia this year, all favoring decent salaries and stable employment opportunities. Turkey officially had its first legally sanctioned May Day demonstration in Istanbul. All other demonstrations did not go as smooth however. In Athens 12,000 angry rioters clashed with police (who dawned riot shields). Citizens are angry with the Grecian government's new plans for handling the national debt. In Germany there were multiple demonstrators detained for throwing rocks and setting garbage cans on fire, as a result 17 officers have been listed as injured. In Iran there were protests at the Labor Ministry, where protestors fought with police and chanted, "Death to the Dictator."
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/05/01/may.day.roundup/index.html
By: Becca Sage