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Workers march in May Day rallies Police battle May Day protesters
(about 1 hour later)
Labour unions in dozens of countries around the world are using traditional May Day marches to protest over the handling of the global economic crisis. Clashes have broken out in a number of countries as unions used traditional May Day marches to protest against the handling of the global economic crisis.
In central Istanbul, Turkish police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse several hundred demonstrators. In the Turkish city of Istanbul, riot police fired tear gas and water cannon as protesters threw petrol bombs and attacked banks and shops.
Overnight, German youths clashed with police in the capital Berlin. Police made dozens of arrests in the German capital, Berlin, where protesters set fire to cars.
Some 300 rallies are taking place across France, which has already seen strikes by hospital staff, fishermen and university staff, among others. Greek police battled to quell rioters in Athens after banks were attacked.
In Greece, police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who vandalised shop-fronts and torched at least one car in central Athens, reports said. There have also been marches in France and Russia, as well as the Philippines, Japan and Hong Kong, where demonstrators called on the authorities to do more to protect jobs.
Marches were also held in several Asian nations, including Cambodia, Japan and the Philippines. Major demonstrations were also planned in Spain, Italy and Cuba.
Protesters have taken to the streets in the Russian capital, Moscow, while major demonstrations were also planned in Spain, Italy and Cuba.
"Workers are reiterating their demand that the government should find a way to stop mass lay-offs of workers and it should provide decent jobs, not short-lived jobs, not jobs for three months," said Leody de Guzman, of the Union of Filipino Workers."Workers are reiterating their demand that the government should find a way to stop mass lay-offs of workers and it should provide decent jobs, not short-lived jobs, not jobs for three months," said Leody de Guzman, of the Union of Filipino Workers.
Bottles and stonesBottles and stones
Across France, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities such as Marseille, Bordeaux and Grenoble, ahead of a major demonstration in Paris. Some 300 rallies are taking place across France, which has already seen strikes by hospital staff, fishermen and university staff, among others.
This year's traditional Labour Day in France comes against a backdrop of mounting social tension, reports the BBC's Paris correspondent Emma Jane Kirby.
Economic woes fuel French anger In pictures: May Day protestsEconomic woes fuel French anger In pictures: May Day protests
Across the country, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities such as Marseille, Bordeaux and Grenoble, ahead of a major demonstration in Paris.
This year's traditional Labour Day in France comes against a backdrop of mounting social tension, reports the BBC's Paris correspondent Emma Jane Kirby.
There is a growing perception that little has been done to protect the ordinary person's job and wages, while executives from banks bailed out by the government have enjoyed generous pay-offs and bonuses, she says.There is a growing perception that little has been done to protect the ordinary person's job and wages, while executives from banks bailed out by the government have enjoyed generous pay-offs and bonuses, she says.
The country's eight main unions have urged people to come out and protest in their third such day of action this year.The country's eight main unions have urged people to come out and protest in their third such day of action this year.
Violence erupted in Istanbul as hundreds of left-wing and trade union groups tried to pass through police checkpoints into the city's main Taksim square.Violence erupted in Istanbul as hundreds of left-wing and trade union groups tried to pass through police checkpoints into the city's main Taksim square.
The protesters had been refused permission to hold rallies in the square but, as in previous years, they chose to ignore the ban, reports the BBC's David O'Byrne in Istanbul.The protesters had been refused permission to hold rallies in the square but, as in previous years, they chose to ignore the ban, reports the BBC's David O'Byrne in Istanbul.
The marchers took to the back streets after they were met with police water cannons, and hurled stones and other missiles at police who responded by firing tear gas. The marchers took to the back streets after they were met with police water cannon, and hurled stones and other missiles at police who responded by firing tear gas.
A large number of people are believed to have been arrested and there is considerable damage to shops and vehicles, but no serious injuries, our correspondent reports.
Rubbish bins were set alight during clashes in BerlinRubbish bins were set alight during clashes in Berlin
A large number of people are believed to have been arrested and there is considerable damage to shops and vehicles, but no serious injuries, our correspondent reports.
In Berlin, demonstrators clashed with police. Bottles and stones were thrown at police, passing cars and trams, and rubbish bins were set alight.In Berlin, demonstrators clashed with police. Bottles and stones were thrown at police, passing cars and trams, and rubbish bins were set alight.
The unrest began when some 200 protesters began chanting anti-capitalism slogans after a street party ended in the early hours.The unrest began when some 200 protesters began chanting anti-capitalism slogans after a street party ended in the early hours.
Twenty-nine police were injured, and at least 12 people were arrested.Twenty-nine police were injured, and at least 12 people were arrested.
Violence has been a feature of past May Days in Germany. Some 5,000 police are set to be deployed in Berlin.Violence has been a feature of past May Days in Germany. Some 5,000 police are set to be deployed in Berlin.
Are you planning to protest on May Day over the handling of the global economic crisis? Please send us your comments using the form at the bottom:Are you planning to protest on May Day over the handling of the global economic crisis? Please send us your comments using the form at the bottom:
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here.
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