Berlin May Day protests
Each year left-wing protestors hit the streets of Berlin for "Revolutionary 1st of May Demonstrations." The protests often turn violent but in recent years have calmed down.
Myfest celebrations
Tens of thousands of visitors attended the Myfest street festival in the district of Kreuzberg. With eight stages and hundreds of stalls, the police were hoping for a peaceful outcome.
Protests against rising rents
On the day before May Day, more than 3,000 people protested on the streets of Wedding against rising rents in Berlin. Police deployed more than 2,000 officers to deal with Walpurgisnacht events.
Three protesters arrested
Just three people were arrested and one police officer lightly injured at the Wedding protests. Walpurgisnacht has been become steadily less violent in recent years as police implement a policy of de-escalation.
Mayor Müller leads parade
Berlin Mayor Michael Müller, took part in the traditional trade unions' march through the city.
May 1, 1987
A tradition of May Day protests first started in 1987 when thousands of protesters forced police to retreat from the SO36 district of Kreuzberg. Hundreds of police were injured in subsequent years as protests gained notoriety.