Workers from around the world celebrated May Day expressing a gamut of different emotions from fear and anger to elation and despair. In Europe, the unemployed took to the streets to denounce the many austerity measures being put in place by governments in the region. Workers in Asia demanded to receive higher wages, while protesters in the U.S. condemned Wall Street. The demonstrations around the world on Tuesday were more of a way of venting over recent spending cuts, soaring employment and tax hikes than anything else.
The May Day protests came only days before key election take place in France and Greece, whose leaders have taken the brunt of popular anger for government policies many say are strangling any hope that exists of an economic recovery. The protests also reflected the deep pessimism that exists in Spain where the fragile economy is a big worry without the region and the rest of the world.
Nevertheless, national pride and optimism also emerged. Over 100,000 people marched for May Day in Russia, celebrating the government of Vladimir Putin. In France, over 10,000 workers rallied in joy hoping the conservative leadership of current president Nicolas Sarkozy would be in its last week.
U.S. protesters held Occupy Wall Street demonstrations at major financial institutions protesting the huge gap between the poor and the superrich. In Oakland, California, crowds tried to block vehicle traffic to force businesses to close for not honoring the call for a general strike. Over 15 people were arrested in front of the Bank of America in New York City for chanting against the bank.
