Labor Day in Berlin
May 1st, 2008 by Erin
May 1st is International Worker’s Day in Europe, also known as May Day.
In 1904, the International Socialist Conference meeting in Amsterdam called on all Social Democratic Party organizations and trade unions of all countries to demonstrate energetically on May First for the legal establishment of the 8-hour day, for the class demands of the proletariat, and for universal peace.
All across Europe, millions of people from various groups (socialist, anarchist and communist) take to the street to protest, vandalize and party.
In Berlin, the festivities take place in Kreuzberg. Parties on the streets, outdoor concerts and fairs consume the neighbourhood. In the past, demonstrations have turned quite violent so shops shut down early to keep the vandalism at a minimum.
I think since the 2004 May 1st demonstrations, things have toned down quite a bit in the city. It’s a long video but things start to heat up about five minutes in.
Posted in Berlin |