2012 May Day protests
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The 2012 May Day protests were a series of international protests that took place worldwide on 1 May 2012 over the then ongoing global economic crisis.{{cite news|title=May Day Rallies Draw Protesters Around World|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/thousands-participate-in-may-day-rallies-around-the-world---149629125/370030.html|access-date=3 May 2012|date=1 May 2012|publisher=VOA}}
History
The first May Day protests originated in several countries throughout Europe including Stockholm, Madrid, London, Brussels, and Geneva in 1890.{{Cite journal|last1=Peterson|first1=Abby|last2=Wahlström|first2=Mattias|last3=Wennerhag|first3=Magnus|last4=Christancho|first4=Camilo|last5=Sabucedo|author5-link=Jose Manuel Sabucedo|first5=José-Manuel|date=2012-10-15|title=May Day Demonstrations in Five European Countries|url=http://mobilizationjournal.org/doi/abs/10.17813/maiq.17.3.u11178371006u588|journal=Mobilization: An International Quarterly|volume=17|issue=3|pages=281–300|language=en|doi=10.17813/maiq.17.3.u11178371006u588}} While the demand for an 8-hour workday was the primary concern that protesters were protesting for, other demands included improved working conditions, universal suffrage, peace among nations, and international solidarity. While it originally started as a labor movement in protest for improved wages and working conditions, protesters - who are primarily from working-class backgrounds - now demonstrate for celebratory purposes and tradition while many others do it to create change.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2012/05/01/The-May-Day-2012-Demonstrations.html|title=The May Day 2012 Demonstrations|last=Toscano|first=Paul|date=2012-05-01|publisher=CNBC|access-date=2017-05-12}}
Over the decades, the May Day protests and demonstrations have expanded globally and internationally to other countries including Canada, Indonesia, and Taiwan.{{Cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2012/05/01/news/economy/occupy-may-day/index.htm|title=Occupy May Day goes global|last=Smith|first=Aaron|website=CNNMoney|access-date=2017-05-12}} The protests are also a part of the Occupy Movement, a movement dedicated to protesting against capitalism and the corruption of corporations and to finding solidarity within labor unions and other activist groups.
North America
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= Canada =
Protesters in Canada demonstrated to bring awareness about the impact that federal government budget cuts had on employment and job loss.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/may-day-draws-rallies-protests-across-canada-1.1221672|title=May Day draws rallies, protests across Canada|publisher=CBC News|access-date=2017-05-04|language=en}} The protest in Montreal also turned violent as more than 100 people were arrested during the protest.
=United States=
File:US May Day 2012 (VOA Report).ogg report on New York City May Day protests]]
{{see also|Seattle grand jury resisters}}
Protests were held from coast to coast in major cities including New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.{{cite news|last=FARNHAM|first=ALAN|title=2012 'May Day' Protests From Coast to Coast|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/2012-mayday-protests-continue-country-arrests-rain/story?id=16246278|access-date=3 May 2012|newspaper=ABC News|date=1 May 2012}}{{cite news|title=May Day protest in NYC brings confrontations |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765573041/May-Day-protest-in-NYC-brings-confrontations.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506063537/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765573041/May-Day-protest-in-NYC-brings-confrontations.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 May 2012 |access-date=3 May 2012|newspaper=Deseret News |first=Verena |last=Dobnik |date=2 May 2012|agency=Associated Press}} Protests were often organized by Occupy movement. Turnout was lower than that of other countries because the protests were held on a work day.{{citation needed|date=May 2012}}
- New York City – There were rallies protesting Wall Street, banks, and major institutions.{{cite news|last=Sushman|first=Bernard|title=Marches, Sit-Ins Mark May Day in New York|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/new-yorkers-get-ready-to-embrace-labor-day-demonstrations-149659005/369882.html|access-date=3 May 2012|newspaper=VOA|date=1 May 2012}} A march to Bank of America was led by Occupy Wall Street. There were also protests of New York University's expansion into Greenwich Village. At least 50 people were arrested. Occupy Wall Street had called for a general strike, which did not materialize.{{cite news|last=Fedynsky|first=Peter|title=Occupy's May Day on the Streets|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/occupys-may-day-on-the-streets-149757695/370122.html|access-date=3 May 2012|newspaper=VOA|date=1 May 2012|location=New York}}
- San Francisco – Protesters disrupted ferry service.
- Oakland, California – Protests were dispersed by police with the use of tear gas.{{cite news|title=Stinging gas sends May Day protesters fleeing|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57426219/stinging-gas-sends-may-day-protesters-fleeing/|access-date=3 May 2012|work=CBS News|date=2 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503011655/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57426219/stinging-gas-sends-may-day-protesters-fleeing/ |archive-date=3 May 2012}}
- Seattle - Protesters in Seattle, who primarily consisted of teens and young adults in their early 20s, demonstrated to call the end to capitalism.{{Cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Hundreds-gather-to-protest-in-downtown-Seattle-3525107.php|title=May Day protests turn violent in downtown Seattle|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|access-date=2017-05-04}} The protests in Seattle got violent as windows and glass panels were shattered and smoke bombs were set off.
Asia
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=Indonesia=
Thousands of protesters marched through the capital demanding higher wages and better working conditions.{{cite news|last=Lamb|first=Kate|title=Indonesian Laborers Demand Bigger Share of Profits|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/indonesian-laborers-demand-a-bigger-share-of-profits-149649295/369896.html|access-date=3 May 2012|newspaper=VOA|date=1 May 2012|location=Jakarta}} President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono responded by announcing a higher tax-free income ceiling and additional subsidized housing.
= Philippines =
Protesters gathered in Manila to demand higher wages and policies to prevent workers from termination.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2012/05/may-day-around-the-world/100289/#img19|title=May Day Around the World|last=Taylor|first=Alan|work=The Atlantic|access-date=2017-04-15|language=en-US}}
=Taiwan=
Protesters in Taiwan marched through the streets of downtown Taiwan to demand for a number of things including higher wages, lower school tuition, and better conditions for foreign workers.{{Cite news|url=http://newsok.com/thousands-join-may-day-protest-in-manila/article/feed/377050?custom_click=rss|title=Workers demand pay hikes at Asia's May Day marches|date=2012-05-01|work=NewsOK.com|access-date=2017-05-04|language=en-US}}
See also
References
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