How May Day is Marked Across the World

France

Paris and a number of other major cities traditionally witness large-scale protests by the left on international workers' day, but this year will be different. Le Pen's victory in the first round of the presidential elections has added a political charge to proceedings.

As a result, several more groups - including the Catholic church, the Jewish community, gay rights activists and Aids sufferers - have joined the call for a huge No vote against the veteran far-right leader and will swell the numbers of protesters on May Day.

Added to this mix, however, will be the supporters of Le Pen, who uses the day to honour Joan of Arc. Therefore the likelihood of violent disturbances is somewhat greater than usual.

Western Europe

The major cities of mainland Europe, from Barcelona to Berlin, will be home to similar demonstrations to those set to take place in London, with students, workers and leftwing groups taking the opportunity to protest against globalised capitalism.

However, the climate of these protests has changed and, in the post-September 11 world that we now live in, this will mean opposition to the war in Afghanistan and the actions of Israel in the Middle East, as well as a number of other hot political topics, are likely to be added to the agenda. Thus we can expect an increased police presence and the potential for conflict.

Russia

May Day in Moscow usually means outdoor music concerts, day trips along the river and Communist rallies, with nostalgia for the "good old days" the dominant mood. However, this year, in addition to traditional celebrations, Communists and other leftwing organisations intend to attract the younger generation to their movements.

Thus May Day will see a group of young Communists crawling on their hands and knees from Leningradsky station to the Lenin statue in Kaluzhskaya Ploshchad. This symbolises an apology to the people of Moscow for the invasion of politicians from the northern capital, according to Viktor Anpilov, head of the Working Russia organisation.

May Day was called the Day of Workers' Solidarity under Soviet rule, but was renamed the Day of Labour and Spring by Boris Yeltsin. It used to involve mass processions through Red square in celebration of Soviet rulers and a display of military might, but will this year witness protests against the president and his government by Communists from 14 regions. Over 3,000 police officers are expected to control proceedings.

May Day is also the start of the dacha season, when Muscovites escape the city and head off to the countryside.

South-east Asia

In south-east Asia May Day is marked in most countries, with Thailand being the one notable exception. Most rallies are organised by fringe groups and so rather small. (John Aglionby)

The Philippines

The biggest events are likely to be in the Philippines, where tomorrow is also the first anniversary of an alleged counter-coup by Estrada supporters against Arroyo. There could be a leftist/Estrada combined demo and the security forces are on very high alert. (JA)

Indonesia

In Indonesia the leftwing Democratic People's party is calling for a general strike but that is likely to be ignored and only a few hundred people will probably turn up to protest at the presidential palace. (JA)

Burma

In Burma May Day is a big holiday, all rallies controlled by the junta. This year could see a big announcement on the talks between the junta and Aung San Suu Kyi that have been going on in secret for the past 18 months. (JA)

Malaysia

May Day is a national holiday in Malaysia, where the prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, will join the tightly controlled civil servants' union in a celebration. NGOs are also organising marches (expecting a couple of thousand people in Kuala Lumpur) through various cities. (JA)

Singapore

Singapore frowns upon this sort of thing officially but the opposition Singapore Democratic party is planning a march - whether it gets permission or not - to highlight what it says is the massive wealth disparity between the rich and poor in the city state. (JA)

Australia

Sydney, Melbourne and the other major cities of Australia will witness anti-capitalism demonstrations of a similar sort to those seen in London, concentrating on the idea of "reclaiming the streets". Sydney was home to the first Reclaim the Streets demonstration when, in February 1998, 3,000 people blocked off a busy section of the city centre.

The United States

The tradition of supporting workers' rights on May Day is not as strong, but the Festival del Pueblo in Boston and the west coast Festivals of Resistance, among others, show that the anti-globalisation movement is stronger than many might expect, or have been led to believe.