In Pictures

In pictures: May Day protests around the world

  • 1 May 2020
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Every year May Day is used to mark many things - from the coming of spring in the Northern Hemisphere to the fight for workers' rights. This year many rallies have been scaled back because of coronavirus lockdowns, although some have taken place on the streets and online.

Here are some of the events that have marked the day.

Protest in Athens Image copyright Aris Messinis / AFP
Image caption Members of the Greek Labour Union (PAME), wearing protective masks and respecting the social distances, protest in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens
A woman hands out red carnations Image copyright Aris Messinis / AFP
Image caption The Greek government asked groups to delay public rallies by more than a week, but leading union GSEE called for a general strike to coincide with May Day
Turkish police clash with protesters Image copyright Bulent Kilic / AFP
Image caption In Turkey, several demonstrators were arrested as they marched towards Istanbul's symbolic Taksim Square to mark May Day in defiance of the government's coronavirus lockdown
Protest in Berlin Image copyright Maja Hitij / Getty Images
Image caption Gatherings in Germany are currently limited by authorities to a maximum of 20, which means many small May Day protests are taking place instead of traditional, large-scale marches
A dog ine Rome Image copyright Angelo Carconi / EPA-EFE
Image caption People wearing face masks walk in the almost deserted Piazza San Giovanni square on International Workers' Day in Rome, Italy
Red ribbon Image copyright Angelo Carconi / EPA-EFE
Image caption A red ribbon is tied to a lamppost in Rome where the streets would usually be full of protesters
Demonstrators practice social distancing Image copyright Murad Sezer / Reuters
Image caption In Thessaloniki, Greece, a woman holds a placard that reads: "No to robbing people for the profit of capital"
Protest in Vienna Image copyright Thomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images
Image caption In Vienna, Austria, protesters hold a banner reading: "Organise the masses in the duty of the proletarian world revolution". There are 15 different registered demonstrations and gatherings across the city
Painted floor to keep people apart Image copyright Thomas Kronsteiner / Getty Images
Image caption At one of those Vienna protests, participants painted circles on the floor to keep their distance as they demonstrated against the government measures to slow down the spread of coronavirus
Riot police in Hong Kong Image copyright Billy H.C. Kwok / Getty Images
Image caption In Hong Kong riot police set up a cordon as pro-democracy activists gather outside a shopping centre
Protest in Span Image copyright Quique Garcia / EPA-EFE
Image caption Trade union members in Barcelona, Spain, hold up placards in front of the emergency admissions of a medical centre, calling for better working conditions and more protective equipment
Protest in Beirut Image copyright Nabil Mounze / EPA
Image caption In Beirut anti-government demonstrators and supporters of the Lebanese Communist took part in protests against the reform plans of the government announced by Prime Minister Hassan Diab.
A man mends paving stones in Red Square Image copyright Yuri Kadobnov / AFP
Image caption In Moscow the traditional May Day celebrations were cancelled and in an empty Red Square a lone worker was seen making repairs to the paving stones.
A woman walks down a street decorated by dozens of handmade garlands Image copyright Loic Venance / AFP
Image caption In Nantes, Western France, a woman walks down a street decorated by dozens of handmade garlands as the lockdown in continues.
A family wearing masks in Beijing Image copyright Roman Pilipey / EPA-EFE
Image caption China is loosening its nationwide restrictions after months of lockdown. Labour Day in the country began with an extended holiday. Here a family wearing protective face masks enters the Nanluoguxiang alley, a famous tourist spot at Hutong area of Beijing.

All photographs subject to copyright