Government

How Did the Rest of the World Spend May Day? Take a Look

(The Blaze/AP)  From Asia to Europe to the U.S., Tuesday‘s May Day marches were less a celebration of workers’ rights and more an expression of national moods. From gloom to optimism to celebration, here is a look:

SPAIN: Deep gloom.

How Has the Rest of the World Spent May Day?

Thousands take place in 'May Day' Protests Throughout Spain

Tens of thousands of Spanish protesters joined demonstrations, weary after two years of deep spending cuts and tax hikes, sky-high unemployment and no end in sight to austerity.  Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is trying desperately to cut a bloated deficit, restore investor confidence and fend off fears that Spain will need an international bailout.  “I am here because there is no future for the young people of this country,” said Adriana Jaime, a 25-year-old marcher.

FRANCE: Optimism.

How Has the Rest of the World Spent May Day?

Demonstrators take to the streets of Paris on May Day

In France, tens of thousands of workers, leftists and union members held boisterous rallies ahead of presidential elections Sunday that a Socialist, Francois Hollande, is expected to win for the first time since 1988. Many voters fear incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy will erode France’s welfare and see him as too friendly with the wealthy. “Sarkozy has allowed himself for too long to manhandle the lower classes,” said 24-year-old Dante Leonardi. “Today we must show … that we want him to leave.”

GREECE: Uncertainty.

How Has the Rest of the World Spent May Day?

Greek communists take part in a May Day protests in the Aspropyrgos industrial area, near Athens

The mood was subdued in Greece, where more than 2,000 people marched through downtown Athens after nearly three years of sharp economic pain. Adding to the uncertainty: No party is expected to secure a governing majority in the election, and it remains unclear whether squabbling party leaders will be able to strike a power-sharing deal.

THE PHILIPPINES: Anger.

How Has the Rest of the World Spent May Day?

Protesters burned an effigy of the president in the Philippines

In the capital, Manila, more than 8,000 members of a labor alliance marched to a heavily barricaded bridge near the Malacanang presidential palace, which teemed with thousands of riot police. Other left-wing workers burned a huge effigy of President Benigno Aquino III, depicting him as a lackey of the United States and big business.

TUNISIA: Celebration.

Thousands of Tunisians marked May Day by reveling in the new freedoms won from their Arab Spring revolution. May Day gatherings were tightly controlled in previous years under the rule of the country’s autocratic president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. But this time, people were free to celebrate. Some 25,000 revelers – from union members to Islamists to whole families – poured onto the capital’s main thoroughfare. The crowd appeared to be even larger than the one that flooded Avenue Bourguiba on Jan. 14, 2011, the day Ben Ali flew into exile in Saudi Arabia.

UNITED STATES: Reviving a movement.

How Has the Rest of the World Spent May Day?

The anti-Wall Street groups collectively known as the Occupy Movement planned demonstrations, strikes and acts of civil disobedience across the nation. In New York City, the birthplace of the movement, organizers called for picket lines and a march through Manhattan, as well as blocking one or more bridges or tunnels connecting the city’s economic engine to New Jersey and elsewhere. In Los Angeles, at least a half-dozen rallies were planned. In Atlanta, immigration activists rallied against a law targeting illegal immigration enacted last year. Rallies were also planned in Chicago and Minneapolis.

RUSSIA: Pro-government.

How Has the Rest of the World Spent May Day?

A May Day protester waves a flag with Stalin's face on it

Around 100,000 people – including President Dmitry Medvedev and President-elect Vladimir Putin – marched in Moscow to support the government. The two leaders happily chatted with participants and many banners criticized Russia’s opposition movement. One read “Spring has come, the swamp has dried up,” referring to Bolotnaya (Swampy) Square, the site of some of the largest opposition demonstrations.

CANADA: Worry.

How Has the Rest of the World Spent May Day?

(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Government workers marched on Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s office in downtown Ottawa to protest budget cuts, the elimination of thousands of jobs and proposed tuition hikes. In Toronto, Members of Occupy Toronto say they are planning an evening march to an as yet undisclosed “re-occupation” site, which they plan to take over for 24 hours. Activists urged people to call in sick Tuesday and attend the events.

Comments (53)

  • ajthedj747
    Posted on May 7, 2012 at 8:28pm

    I am so thankful that the countries of Canada and Australasia are moving in the right direction financially and politically.

    Report Post » ajthedj747  
  • stealthman
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 6:08pm

    The French optimism is the scariest for two main reasons:

    1. the Socialists in France have totally allied with radical Islam. The Jews of France who have been basically defended by Sarkozy for the last five years will flee my the tens of thousands, most of them to Israel. Good for those Jews who do. The blessing by G-d on France will be snuffed out. But point two is even more disturbing on a strictly practical level.

    2. The free market in France which has always had tenuous strength will be snuffed out as Hollande takes a hard line Socialist stance. Whatever machine of free market jobs growth there has been during the last five years will be snuffed out by record high taxes on the “rich”. A good chunk of Hollande’s coalition members will be outright Communists. Within two years France will become an economic basket case. And all those banks holding Greek and Spanish and Italian debt will start to go belly-up. It is hard to tell who will collapse first Spain or all the French banks who hold all that sovereign debt. A Socialist victory on Sunday could be the final straw that breaks the entire Euro zone. Those wealthy folks whom the left says Sarkozy “coddled”. will look for safer shores. Watch out next week after a Socialist victory. In 60 days the Euro could be dead because of a combination of the above two factors.

    Report Post »  
  • COFemale
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:45pm

    Responsible people go to work, school or stay home to take of the family. Idiots, COWARDS, CRIMINALS, and your low-life losers go protest.

    Thank God I am responsible.

    Report Post » COFemale  
  • grownup
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:15am

    This is really creepy even though the numbers are down. There were thousands protesting world wide. World wide protests orchestrated by a small group of thieves. And most people have no idea what is coming down the pike this summer. Unbelievable! Even most of the people involved don’t have a clue how this is going to culminate. Or they wouldn’t do it of course. This is a huge feat to have pulled off! Our enemy is very strong and well organized. They just have to keep up with the inflation. Better dead than red.

    Report Post »  
  • Geo0248
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:01am

    I spent my day happily working and being more productive than usual just so I could post this message here and let the life sucking entitlement crowd know: I am not part or supportive of your stinking movement and your marxist efforts are viewed comical, sad and insulting to those of us with a work ethic! Now go get jobs you stinking lazy pieces of human trash! Cant find one? Volunteer!

    Report Post »  
    • skiz
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:44am

      Better yet they could do us all a favor. Since they are so mad at life I say they should go ahead and end it and shoot themselves in the head!
      I worked hard yesterday and everyday as well. We are the producers and they are weak little commies!

      Report Post » skiz  
    • cemerius
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:56am

      With that in mind I should be allowed to add a couple of these waste of refuse as tax exemptions….after all my taxes are paying for their goods and services!!!!

      Report Post » cemerius  
    • burdenedsoul
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:01am

      Ha, if society falls into Anarchy these morons will have no way to survive. They are a dependent class, meaning dependent on working tax payers, and dependent on the current failing state of the world economy. The only recourse that these losers will have will be to escalate what they are already doing, which is stealing from the rest of us in order to prolong the childlike process of avoiding responsibility and accountability at any cost to the those that know what true freedom is. Honestly, I fear more what the Government will do to supposedly fix this problem when it comes to a head. History repeats itself and this is a story as old as time.

      Report Post » burdenedsoul  
  • Johann
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 7:48am

    A hundred years ago the Roman Catholic Church designated May 1 as the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in order to give dignity to the working man. This feast celebrates the humility and devotion of a man of the Bible who dedicated his life to God and did so through his humble work in the carpenters shop. It is hard to compare the wealthy lustful greedy Americanized OWS demonstrators with anything so lofty as this. Too bad America has become the center of those who preach violence and hate and greed to the rest of the world. Saint Joseph pray for us we need it.

    Report Post »  
  • Kara_ite
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 6:16am

    These people have left their Creator and decided that the Government is their answer. Marching to get something for themselves. Give me a house, give me a car, give me a college education, give me birth control and abortions, give me the right to be married and share my life with a same sex partner, give me a job with a huge salary, give .. give…me, give me a color tv, give me free health care, give me … a free burial, and of course take it from someone else‘s pocket cause I am marching to get someone else’s hard earned money…

    Report Post » Kara_ite  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:30am

    What will tommorow bring?

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • rambosharley
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 5:38am

      Communism, if the OWS crowd have anything to say about it. I’ve never celebrated “May Day”, never will, come to think of it I don’t know a soul who does or has.

      Report Post »  
  • Chris.underhill
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 2:50am

    So you think we might have put a few people out of business today. That its all for naught. You’ve been doing that everyday for almost forty years Sam. And if this is all for naught then so is everything out there. Its just money; its made up. Pieces of paper with pictures on it so we don’t have to kill each other just to get something to eat. It’s not wrong. And it’s certainly no different today than its ever been. 1637, 1797, 1819, 37, 57, 84, 1901, 07, 29, 1937, 1974, 1987
    Sadly no one ever reads,learns,tries to change from old mistakes. In fact Americans today are more worried about what actor cheated or got busted. Its all just one big act scary thing is just like on 911 all these Drones out here wont wake up till they are missing body parts.
    Sometimes i really wonder are the protesters more right? I mean hell they are doing something arnt they? ya i work my ass off i went to work today i worked 12 hrs in fact. Do i wake up every day thinking i am going to change any thing? Only two things in my life do i spend that much time on 1 GOD, 2 My Son… the rest is just dust and wind.. soon tho every one will have to choose. even if they want to extend the fact they don’t want to face this reality. Glenn is right There is only one way we win. WE choose to stand with god. And god will protect me in this life or the next.I may have to walk through the valley of Death. I Will not fear Evil.For i choose to be with GOD.Your rod and your staff,They comfort me. God please ble

    Report Post »  
    • PaxInVeritate
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 4:07am

      Chris… This world is passing away in real time. The prophesies spoken of in Daniel and Revelations are being fulfilled. Communism and Totalitarian regimes are going to become the norm throughout the world, quite possibly even in the U.S.. But why are we so attached to the way things are currently? Are the nihilists right? No. They are usefull fodder for evil intent, that is all. Believe, prepare the best you are able and trust in the Lord God to provide the rest. Even the best prepper will have to rely on the Lord. Be joyfully attentive for He will come in this generation.

      Report Post » PaxInVeritate  
  • Salamander
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 2:05am

    Remember when–May Day was commemorated ONLY in USSR and by a HUGE arms parade? Tanks, guns, strutting soldiers, aircraft, missiles, all the stuff that the PRESS loved to show the World, so that the rest of the World would take notice of the shoe-bangers!

    Report Post »  
    • PaxInVeritate
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 2:36am

      Why yes… yes I do.

      Report Post » PaxInVeritate  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:10pm

      I was in the 2nd grade when my dad was transfered to Japan. On May 1, 1955, Japanese Communists staged large demonstrations around military posts. In our front yard was a recoilless rifle and in the back a 50 cal MG. Communists are scary people to a 6 year old. I knew evil then. These folks don’t know that they are asking for 7 day 12 hour work shifts in the collectives factory or farm. There is never any idile time for Communists or Nazis.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • marine249
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:24am

    I spent my day talking to Canididates for local and
    state offices. It was a good day.

    Report Post »  
    • marine249
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:26am

      Republican Canididates.

      Report Post »  
    • Diane TX
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:32am

      Yep. We all know that there isn’t any JFK Democrats around anymore. Communism and Socialism is their game, now.

      Report Post »  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:52am

      Ohh RAH 249 !

      Report Post » DEFCON4  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:44am

      Nothing happened here that I noticed. Except Janet Napolitano turned up for a visit.

      Report Post »  
  • sillyfreshness
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:10am

    These people are beyond stupid. How many times have communistic regimes failed, yet these Bolsheviks still want their “worker’s paradise”. I just can’t believe people actually want to live under communism and under a dictatorship. I guess people are a glutton for punishment.

    Report Post » sillyfreshness  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:07am

    Look at the picture above of the man holding the red Stalin flag. To the far right in the picture there are two objects appearing in the back-ground seemingly in the sky. What are they?

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:19am

      It looks like ‘his’ kind was doing a fly by keeping tabs on all the animals.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • trueamerican40
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:20am

      Lightposts. You alright TIM? The face of Stalin made me want to puke…Obama’s face would fit there too. I spent my day laughing at the morons who are spending the night in jail…hehehe.

      Report Post » trueamerican40  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:25am

      That’s the funny thing about animals, they rarely look up in the sky.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:39am

      trueamerican40,
      Then where is the pipe holding the lights? I can plainly see the brightness of the sky hasn’t blotted out the fence on top of the church, and I can plainly see the brightness hasn’t blotted out the thin branches of the trees. So where are arching pipes?

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:55am

      Alright I had to adjust my angle of view of my screen, and then the arching pipe appeared as a blue smudge. I think I’m going to throw my computer in the garbage now.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:42am

      Lol.

      If you chuck your computer, Tim, get another one quickly. We will all miss you otherwise.

      Report Post »  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:17am

      @Itsjusttim: Please make sure your “angle of view” is correct before reading articles and posting. Perception is key to understanding.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
  • korbin
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:57am

    Sheep all of them sheep, I will even defend them I am a sheep dog.

    oathkeepers.org

    Report Post »  
  • MammalOne
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:40am

    I went to work, taught a class (full attendance), went to the hardware store and bought some much needed supplies for a shelving project, went out to dinner, came home and cleaned my apartment. No work, no chores, no school? Please, I did all three while these aimless morons were smashing windows and getting arrested.

    Report Post » MammalOne  
    • CatB
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:07am

      As did most sane people .. even when you get these “large” events .. you have many more who are living their lives and working to support their families – yet these idiots get all the attention

      .. perhaps the REAL producers need to take a stand … how about November 6th .. ;-)

      Report Post »  
    • Brooke Lorren
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:35am

      Taught school, then went grocery shopping. In my free time, I did some work. ‘Bout ready to sit down and watch GBTV and do some more work. Didn‘t go to yoga because dh was at a final and didn’t come back in time, but he did spend money on sub sandwiches, so perhaps that makes up for it.

      Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:15pm

      Got into work at 7:00. Left at 5:00. Went to State Capitol building to laugh at OWSers. None there. Went home mowed the grass. BBQ couple of steaks. Had 2 really cold beers. Kind of a normal day.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:36am

    Communism, Marxism and Socialism is so great – that thousands of people try to leave those political systems each year. Leaders of those Countries, come to the USA when they need great medical care. It was a mistake for the Nations of the European Continent to try to make theirselves into a socialized version of the United States of America. The EU is a dismal failure, both politically and monetary. Each Nation should have remained sovereign without trying to meld the successes and failures of each Nation into one pot.

    Report Post »  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:01am

      Haha. Yeah, but what are they really achieving? They already know they are hardly worth anything at all otherwise they wouldn’t burn inside to protest. And they must know money doesn’t grow on trees for the picking, otherwise the rich would just throw it at them saying “Have it.” The bottom-line is they want something for nothing. The thing that always amazes me is that they only want the things other people have because other people find value in the things. They are all Graven images, and if people would not behold the images of their things in their mind, then they wouldn’t be Graven. The things I have are just there and they really mean nothing to me, and the interesting thing is that I can hardly even get people to take my things for free. Probably because the things mean nothing to me. Even a junk-man only takes my broken coffee table at the curb because the junk man knows I replaced it with a better one.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:34am

    I spent my day posting a lot on the blaze, because I don’t have anything better to do except waiting for my word to come true. Oh but I did reflect on my childhood when the local commies would place May Day baskets on my porch, and I thought “What the crap is this crap?” For a few moments anyways.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
  • horsefeathers99
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:32am

    The United States protests are disgraceful.

    Obama’s slogan “Forward”……from a Nazi tune in this clip?
    http://www.westernjournalism.com/is-obamas-new-campaign-slogan-borrowed-from-the-nazis/

    Report Post »  
    • Salamander
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 2:10am

      I wonder how many of those kids made it through The War? Wow, to think that an entire country, culture of peoples could launch the mess they did! Could it happen again? You betcha! Scary, huh?

      Report Post »  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:24am

      Forward! As we approach the abyss.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
  • Itsjusttim
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:28am

    If nothing is worth anything, what do Communists hope to gain? Who’s even going to buy natural resources? If gold isn’t worth anything, and yet governments confiscate gold, then they are only collecting rubble.

    Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • RANGER1965
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:45am

      Gold‘s value is it’s rarity. You can’t eat it, wear it, or live in it. But it does make an excellent unit of exchange that can’t be counterfeited, and cannot be created by man. In a pinch you go to barter and trade, but it’s extremely inefficient, and value is determined by region. A unit of excange like a gold or silver coin can be used which is portable and retains it’s value over distance and time.

      RANGER

      Report Post » RANGER1965  
    • Itsjusttim
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:02am

      Yeah but gold has gone east.

      Report Post » Itsjusttim  
    • PaxInVeritate
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 2:49am

      RANGER1965… Try drinking it… Goldenschlager. Mmmm mmmm good!

      Report Post » PaxInVeritate  
    • Brokendrum
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:23am

      Gold – maybe not. If you really feel it is all going to come tumbling down then I suggest taking a tip from all the post apocalypse scenarios. Bullets, food, and water (in that order) are the bargaining chips when it all goes into the toilet. Gold only works when it is still civilized.

      Report Post »  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:19pm

      The medium of exchange in the military and prison is cigarettes. Consider adding this to your list.

      Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • PaxInVeritate
    Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:26am

    I spent my day spending $200 on supplies and building planter boxes for Blueberries. Goooo Capitalism!!

    Report Post » PaxInVeritate  
    • DEFCON4
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:01am

      PAX what variety , cultivar did you buy? IT’S what I do.

      Report Post » DEFCON4  
    • PaxInVeritate
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 2:34am

      Just three bushes; Bluegold, Elliott, and Earliblue. Bought them at Lowes. And no, I’m not a Jimmie Johnson fan… Boogity, boogity, boogity… Let‘s go racin’ Carl!!!

      Report Post » PaxInVeritate  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love