Anarchists are the "willing tools" of the Communists!

Tuesday, 1 May, 2001, 10:57 GMT 11:57 UK

May Day protesters take to streets

Arrests followed an attempted blockade of Sydney's stock exchange

After violent protests in Australia and Germany, cities throughout the world - including London - are bracing for further May Day demonstrations.

In Australia, about 30 people were injured after thousands of anti-globalisation protesters fought with police in Melbourne and Sydney, blockading buildings and burning political effigies.

Protesters blockaded streets in Sydney

Two policemen were injured, one stabbed in the leg, and about dozens of marchers were arrested after demonstrators attempted to blockade the Sydney stock exchange.

Protesters in Brisbane threw themselves on the road to try to prevent police vans taking those arrested away.

"The world belongs to the people. The streets belong to the people," shouted protesters in Brisbane.

In Germany, riot police in Berlin clashed with anti-capitalist protesters in two separate locations in former east Berlin, one on the site of the Berlin Wall itself.

German riot police clashed with left-wing demonstrators

Demonstrators blocked roads, erected barricades, and pelted police with bottle and stones.

Dozens of rioters were arrested as police moved in with water cannon and armoured cars. A police spokesman said many officers have been injured.

Authorities had banned the march - organised by militant anarchist groups - in an attempt to prevent violence breaking out.

However, the neo-nazi National Democratic Party (NPD) has been given clearance for a march on the eastern outskirts of the capital.

In the UK, more than 6,000 police have been deployed as thousands of people prepare to stage an anti-capitalist protest in the heart of London.

Police have warned they will use 'zero tolerance' tactics to stop hardcore activists from hijacking the demonstration.

In Zimbabwe, riot police moved in to break up trouble at a traditional May Day rally between trade unionists linked to the opposition, and self-styled war veterans backed by the government.

The police are said to have moved in to protect a war veteran leader who was jostled as he attempted to address thousands of workers gathered in a stadium in central Harare.

The war veterans, who have been attacking businesses in Zimbabwe's cities, say they can better represent the rights of urban workers.

In Pakistan, police have arrested about 100 pro-democracy protestors attempting to defy a ban on public meetings imposed by the military regime.

Large numbers of police and paramilitary have been deployed on the streets.

In South Korea, thousands of South Korean workers marched through Seoul to protest against economic reforms that have resulted in layoffs.

South Korean workers marched against job cuts

Meanwhile, demonstrations in the Palestinian territories, against Israel, and in Turkey, against a wage freeze, are also planned.

The Palestine Labour Union said in a statement it had organised May Day demonstrations in the autonomous towns of the West Bank and marches to "protest against Israeli occupation and support the intifada".

In Cuba, workers will mark May Day with their traditional protests against the United States.

In India, the Taleban leadership in Afghanistan will be the target of protests by prostitutes in the city of Calcutta.

They are planning a march to highlight what they say is the oppression of women in Afghanistan.

May Day marches

Australia: Stock markets targeted
Cuba: Anti-US protests
Germany: Riot police clash with left-wing protesters
India: Anti-Taleban marches in Calcutta
Pakistan: Pro-democracy protestors arrested
Palestinian territories: Anti-Israeli demos
Turkey: Wage protests
Zimbabwe: Workers' rallies in Harare

Top World stories now:

May Day protesters take to streets
Philippines acts to crush 'plot'
Bush to push for missile shield
Israeli killed in West Bank
Refugee chief appeals to Taleban
In Pictures: May Day marches

See also:

01 May 01 | South Asia
Pakistan police swoop on protest
01 May 01 | Asia-Pacific
May Day violence hits Australia
01 May 01 | UK
Police braced for May Day protests
01 May 01 | UK
The spirit of Seattle
01 May 01 | UK
What is anti-globalisation?
21 Apr 01 | Americas
Quebec violence flares again
01 May 01 | Africa
Harare fears May Day showdown
01 May 01 | UK
Thousands joining May Day protests
01 May 01 | UK
Eyewitness: On the roads with the cyclists

Links to more World stories are at the foot of the page.

http://www.bbc.co.uk

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/default.stm