From Athens to Moscow and from Hong Kong to Berlin, citizens from all latitudes and longitudes of the Earth honor today’s Labour Day, demanding better working conditions and raising the living standards. In Europe, citizens took to the streets to assert their opposition to the austerity policies, while in Turkey, protesters clashed with police who tried to stop them marching into Taksim Square.

Police broke apart hundreds of protesters using tear gas and water pumps, as they tried to defy the ban on concentration in Taksim square. The emblematic square of the anti-government protest movement.

To cope with the crowds of demonstrators expected this year from either side of the Bosporus, Turkish authorities have blocked roads, suspended ferry services and closed metro stations.

Russia

In Russia, the Red Square acquired a fragrance of the Soviet Era, as for the first time since 1991, workers and trade unions of Russia participate in demonstrations on Labor Day. Approximately, one hundred thousand Russians have flocked to the Red Square, while neo-Nazis were seen parading in St. Petersburg brandishing swastika flags, according to Russian media.

South Korea
In Seoul, protesters criticize the government of South Korea for the blunders that led to the naval tragedy which cost the lives of about 300 people, most of whom were students.

Germany
In Berlin, authorities are afoot since protests of previous years had led to clashes with neo-Nazis burning police vehicles and throwing molotov cocktails in buildings.

France

In France, the unions will once again celebrate May Day divided by their differences over the program of 50 billion euros’ worth of cuts announced by PM Vals.

Spain

In Spain, who is slowly exiting the financial decline and remains facing record numbers of unemployment, people will flood the streets of Madrid and 70 other cities.