May Day Rallies Create Tensions

Published: 2 May 2000 y., Tuesday
Anti-capitalist protesters clashed with police Monday in central London, tearing down the golden arches of a McDonald's and spray-painting a hammer and sickle on a statue of Winston Churchill in a May Day protest. In Berlin, a march against ``capitalism and imperialism'' Monday night erupted into violence in the Kreuzberg neighborhood, a stronghold of leftist activism. More than 100 police officers were injured as they used water cannons, tear gas and nightsticks against a crowd of 10,000 anarchists. At least three dozen leftists were arrested. Elsewhere in Europe, the workers who are usually commemorated on May Day took a back seat to the far right, as neo-Nazis rallied in German cities and nationalist parties held demonstrations in France. There were also May Day protests in the United States. Police in riot gear broke up a protest by hundreds of workers rights supporters in downtown Portland, Ore. In Olympia, Wash., several hundred demonstrators blocked one of the city's busiest intersections to protest global corporations. And in New York City, more than 1,000 immigrants protested outside City Hall. The riots erupted in London when a group broke away from a peaceful demonstration held by protesters planting seeds in front of the Houses of Parliament. Demonstrators threw stones and other objects near Prime Minister Tony Blair's official residence at Downing Street, where a dozen officers in riot gear took up positions. The protesters then stormed a nearby branch of McDonald's, breaking windows, tearing down the large ``M'' sign and distributing food.
Šaltinis: Yahoo! News
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.

Facebook Comments

New comment


Captcha

Associated articles

The most popular articles

Moscow metro's 75th anniversary

75 years after Moscow first opened its underground train system, Muscovites can ride a restored vintage train. more »

„Mountain tsunami“ threatens Bhutan

A glacier melt threatens to cause massive flooding and destroy a centuries old monastic fortress in the remote country of Bhutan. more »

Ending homophobia – stopping discrimination

What do countries as geographically diverse as Saudi Arabia, Uganda and Jamaica have in common? All of them criminalised homosexuality. more »

Human rights in the world – taking stock of 2009

Human rights is a key issue for the European Parliament and MEPs Monday took a first look at what the European Union did last year, when they discussed the EU annual report on human rights in the world. more »

Mercury fears in Japanese town

Researchers found high levels of mecury in a Japenese dolphin-hunting town, but say the mecury has no ill effects. more »

Pro-marijuana march in Mexico City

Crowds of Mexicans marched peacefully through the capital city on Saturday demanding the legalisation of marijuana. more »

Pets help prisoners

Prisoners are reported to have dramatic improvements in behaviour after pets are introduced in a new scheme. more »

Hat at centre of fur ban debate

Israeli Ultra-Orthodox MPs are lining up against activists proposing a total ban on furs, saying traditional fur hats are an important part of their religious tradition. more »

MEPs call for binding social protection for self-employed women and wives

EU Member States should organise social protection, including at least 14 weeks' maternity allowance, for self-employed women and self-employed men's wives or life partners, in accordance with national laws, said the Women's Rights Committee on Tuesday. more »

New media, new conversations, a new look EU?

How are the European Parliament, the European Commission and other parts of the European Union supposed to interest people and explain their work? more »