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Angry May Day protests go ahead in Ankara, Moscow, Paris

by Teacher Dude | May 1, 2008 at 09:36 am

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Thousands demonstrated around Europe Thursday in traditional May Day labour demonstrations on issues ranging from pension reforms to standards of living.

Turkish riot police clashed with demonstrators attempting to take part in May Day marches in Istanbul on with some 467 protesters taken into custody and dozens of people treated at hospitals for the effects of tear gas.

In a series of clashes that began early on Thursday morning and continued until the afternoon, police moved in to disperse various groups who were attempting to march to Taksim Square in the heart of Istanbul, where May Day celebrations in 1977 ended with the shooting of 36 unionists.

"Here some more info regarding May 1st in Greece.Greece - Public transport services, and ships and flights by the state carrier Olympic Airlines were paralysed across the country as unions planned demonstrations in the capital Athens to coincide with Labour Day. Thousands of tourists were left stranded as Athenstram, trolleys and all buses, including those to and from Athens International Airport, stopped running while workers at the city's metro said they would hold work stoppages. Dozens of domestic and international flights on Olympic Airlines were cancelled as were all ferry services to and from the Greek islands. Greece's labour unions are angered by the conservative government's attempts to reform pensions."

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Jordan Yerman

at 09:39 on May 1st, 2008

I think this is an important story and would benefit from other NowPublic contributors working on it. I've flagged it as News Wanted and invite others in relevant locations to look for more evidence.