Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.LEFT-WING militants battled with police in Berlin yesterday as violence marred May Day rallies. About 400 demonstrators threw fire bombs at police who responded with water cannon and tear gas. Several were injured, at least one seriously, witnesses said, and a number arrested.
Elsewhere, trade unions rallied support for a potentially crippling strike in eastern Germany this week. The action was called after employers reneged on deals agreed in 1991 that would have boosted wages by 20 per cent from April and brought them up to western levels next year.
Tokyo saw huge turn-outs as Japanese union leaders, joined by non-privileged foreign workers, protested over poor working and living conditions. Organisers estimated that 3.4 million gathered at 1,180 locations across Japan; police put the figure at 771,000.
In Johannesburg, the African National Congress and allies started a month of mass action to push demands for a quick end to white-minority rule in South Africa, and for all-race elections.
More than 20,000 South Korean workers and activists took part in a protest in Seoul to demand openness in financial dealings. It was the first time since 1958 that the government has allowed a May Day rally.
North Korea marked the day by vowing to uphold its brand of communism and seek unity with the South, while demanding that America stop meddling in Korean affairs, currently clouded by nuclear arms suspicions.
As French trade unions held low-key celebrations Prime Minister Edouard Balladur voiced deep concern in Paris about the economy, and said he would announce tough measures on Wednesday. The General Labour Confederation (CGT), arguing that the new measures would hurt workers and hit growth, was the only union to hold a march in the capital. In Bordeaux, a jobless man set himself on fire in an apparent protest against the level of unemployment.
Demonstrations across Spain called for action to combat soaring unemployment, now estimated at 20 per cent and emerging as the hottest issue in next month's general election.
Unemployment, running at a post-war high of 7.3 per cent, was also the focus in Sweden, as thousands pushed prams through the streets of Stockholm, waved red flags and chanted 'work for all'. The Social Democratic opposition party held 330 rallies around the country.
May Day in Bucharest used to be a grand festive occasion under Ceausescu, but for Romanians this year it marked the end of food and energy subsidies left over from communist rule, ushering in steep price rises for many essential goods and services.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments