Carnival atmosphere at London May Day protests
Date: 02-May-02
Country: UK
Author: Hannah Cowdy
As in other major capitals around the world, thousands took part in protests across the British capital, under a sunny sky, ranging from a mass cycle ride to block traffic to a picnic in a park and a trade union march.
"I'm here to protest at the very rich, indulgent Western governments, who use the rest of the world to work for them," said Catherine Earnshaw, 26, dressed in a white lace wedding dress as the May Queen.
There were no reports of violence by early afternoon, although police warned it was later in the day that riots broke out on May Day in previous years.
"If people step out of line the police will have my full backing in doing what is necessary to ensure law and order is maintained," Home Secretary David Blunkett said as he checked security operations involving 6,000 policemen.
Security was tight at high-profile sites across London as up to 10,000 people arrived for demonstrations on issues including capitalism, globalisation, war, the environment, Israel, Afghanistan and U.S. global hegemony.
Two years ago, protesters ran amok through central London on May Day, defacing the Cenotaph war memorial, smashing shop windows and setting light to cars. Last year, they were largely boxed in by police, but there were still ugly scenes and widespread damage.
Wednesday's protests began when about 150 whistle-blowing cyclists braved London's choking traffic in the early morning to demonstrate against car pollution.
"I think it's very difficult to make a difference, but there's so much negativity around, we need people to keep on making love, not war," said one woman cyclist in a shocking pink wig and red dress.
After midday, thousands of workers began a march on Trafalgar Square in central London to rally for better employment rights.
"There are a lot of different things wrong with society and May Day is the one time when people from many different campaigns come together," said Guy Taylor, of the umbrella group Globalise Resistance.
Protest organisers did not advertise specific times or places, other than the Mayfair area - the birthplace of English May Day celebrations and now one of London's wealthiest districts - in a bid to avoid a repeat of last year, where police herded protesters in the rain for hours.
Other demonstrations planned were a wake for capitalism, and a giant soccer game along Oxford Street.
"One stockbroker is one too many," read a banner among the many fluttering in the breeze.
"There is great solidarity between everyone here," Monica Paladin, 25, an Italian stripper living in London, told Reuters as she walked around in a red negligee and black fishnet tights to promote her union for sex workers.
In Hyde Park, a colourful, disorganized crowd staged a peaceful sit-down picnic.
