Protests mark May Day around the world

MOSCOW — Tens of thousands of Russians marched through Red Square on Thursday as part of May Day celebrations in the first such display of Soviet-era-like ceremony since 1991 — the year the communist Soviet Union dissolved. "For the first time, stages will be filled, and 5,000 (labor) veterans will stand on the tribunes of Red Square," Sergei Chernov, chairman of the Moscow Labor Union Federation, was quoted by ITAR-Tass as saying, ahead of the march, which is being seen as part of President Vladimir Putin's efforts to stoke patriotic feelings following Russia's annexation of Crimea. As many as 2 million people were expected to be on hand for the event organized by Russian labor unions, which are mostly loyal to the Kremlin. In the end, about 100,000 people participated in the celebration, some holding signs saying: "Let's go to Crimea for vacation" and "Putin is right." Russian flags fluttered through the crowd.Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets around the world to mark International Labour Day, including in Turkey, Hong Kong, Moscow and Jakarta. In Istanbul, police dispersed on Thursday hundreds of protesters who tried to defy a ban on demonstrations on the city's Taksim Square on the anniversary of clashes that prompted a nationwide protest movement. The square has been the scene of protests that have dogged the government for months. After giving a final warning, hundreds of riot police backed up by water-cannon moved in on protesters in the Besiktas district as they tried to breach the barricades leading up to the symbolic square, an AFP reporter said on Thursday.Thousands of activists are attending a May Day rally in honour of veteran political campaigner Tony Benn and rail union leader Bob Crow who died within days of each other last month. The traditional May Day event in London, which celebrates workers' achievements, will honour the two men, who died within a few days of each other earlier this year.It’s May 1! Hooray! But what even is May Day, and why should we be excited? Well I’ll tell you why… What is May Day? The first day of May, or Beltane, marks the start of ‘the season of warmth and light’. That’s summer to you and me. What makes May 1 so special? Today is the mid-point between two seasons – spring and summer. Another important mid-point is November 1 – between autumn and winter. But no one really cares because winter is rubbish.