MAY DAY 2011

A demonstrator holds up a hammer and sickle as Iraqis gather in central Baghdad to mark the workers' May Day celebrations on May 1, 2011.
Demonstrators around the globe observed May Day this past weekend with protests and mass gatherings, including a few that turned violent. The day has become an occasion for a wide range of agendas, from promoting rights for immigrant workers, to a traditional nod for International Workers' Day, to a call for a revival of communism, to a celebration of spring. Here is a collection of images focused on how workers, unions, socialist groups and others marked the day.

A leftist protester is hit by police water cannon during May Day demonstrations in Hamburg on May 1, 2011.

Indonesian laborers march to the presidential palace during a rally in Jakarta on May 1, 2011. More than 15,000 laborers stage rallies in Jakarta and other big cities in Indonesia to mark May Day, calling on the government for improvements in employment policies.

A woman looks away while marching during a May Day protest on May 1, 2011, in Los Angeles. Thousands of people marched for immigration reform, among other issues.

A demonstrator sits on a street during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2011 in Hamburg. The international day of the worker has for the past two decades been accompanied in German cities by sporadic street violence and pitched battles between far-right skinheads, antifascist groups, and police.

Workers hold signs during a May Day rally held by the Federation of Korean Trade Unions near parliament in Seoul on May 1, 2011. The police said about 50,000 workers attended the FKTU rally. The signs read, "Revise the labor union act extensively."

Protesters break the glass to a bank entrance marking May Day in Bogota, Colombia, on May 1, 2011. Riot police faced a few threats from students throwing stones, Molotov cocktails, paint and breaking storefront windows. Colombian workers marched through the main streets of the country to mark International Workers' Day.

Cubans participate in the May Day parade on May 1, 2011, at Revolution Square in Havana.

Riot police stand guard outside a communications company office that was destroyed by protesters during May Day demonstrations in Cali on May 1, 2011.

Demonstrators throw a homemade explosive during a May Day demo in Cali, Colombia, on May 1, 2011.

A demonstrator sits on a street during a May Day demonstration on May 1, 2011 in Hamburg. The international day of the worker has for the past two decades been accompanied in German cities by sporadic street violence and pitched battles between far-right skinheads, antifascist groups, and police.

A street vendor pushes a trolley of bottled water past a giant May Day banner in central Istanbul on May 1, 2011. The banner reads, "We celebrate all laborers and workers on May Day."

Russian police officers detain an opposition supporter during a May Day rally in St. Petersburg on May 1, 2011. Hundreds of thousands took to the streets in May Day demonstrations across Russia, some showing support for the Kremlin and others urging Russians to overthrow the ruling duo. Anti-Kremlin protesters were however greatly outnumbered by pro-government demonstrators mobilised by the ruling United Russia party and Kremlin-friendly trade unions, which claimed a turnout of 2 million people.

A worker tries to stop a policeman extinguishing burning tires during a rally in front of the presidential palace in Jakarta on May 1, 2011. More than 15,000 laborers stage rallies in Jakarta and other big cities in Indonesia to mark May Day, calling on the government for improvement in employment policies.

Police shields are laid on a street as thousands of workers hold a Labor Day protest near the Malacanang palace in Manila on May 1, 2011. Thousands of workers and activists marched on Philippines streets marking May Day to protest the government's migrant labor policy and demand higher wages amid rising prices for basic commodities.

Riot police officers give assistance to a protester who was injured during clashes on a May Day demonstration in Bogota, Colombia, on May 1, 2011.

An antiriot policeman gives a thumbs up to workers as they protest during a rally in front of the presidential palace in Jakarta on May 1, 2011. More than 15,000 laborers stage rallies in Jakarta and other big cities in Indonesia to mark May Day, calling on the government for improvement in employment policies.

Participants stage a performance as they attend a May Day rally on International Workers' Day in Moscow on May 1, 2011.

Leftist activists shout slogans during a rally marking May Day in Kiev on May 1, 2011.

A demonstrator of Comisiones Obreras, or CCOO, sticks out his tongue as he holds a pick during a May Day demonstration in Malaga, Spain, on May 1, 2011. Spanish unions staged their traditional rally all over Spain, demanding job equality, fair salaries, and productive investment.