May Day in Zurich

Given this was our first May Day in Zurich, we decided to take the chance and see the parade/protests. The word on the street was that there would be trouble this year. The Böögg had already been stolen from a garage in Stafa before Sechselauten - rumor had it that the miltants want it for the explosives it contained.

We took the tram down to the Hauptbahnhof and from there to Stauffacher from where we walked to Helvetiaplatz. When we arrived a band was playing - in the style of Tina Tuner and covered the Prince track Purple Rain.

While the parade passed of peacefully the clashes, it seems, were the worst for some years in Zurich. When we arrived the Stadtpolizei began to charge one corner of the Square. The use of Tear Gas and rubber bullets caused us to turn to face the corner and the people rushing into the adjoining street was clear for the square to see. We made our way towards the trouble where it became quite clear that left-wing miltants were hurling abuse at the police. My efforts to gain pictures of the situation took me both behind and in front of police lines. While being in front police lines was much more adrenelin-pumping than being behind them, the tension on either side was palpable.

In areas, militant demonstrators (who had clearly come prepared) began to hurl bricks and other unstoppables at breakable windows. The City Police were quick and firm to react, specifically targetting those who were destroying property. Water-canons were used to remove militants from building walls while rubber bullets were used to disperse the crowd - who were more than happy to run from solid rubber and tear-gas.

While Herr Ledergerber, the mayor of Zurich, has criticised the City Police for not stepping in earlier, we are firmly of the belief that the police acted solidly and firmly in controlling a situation that may have become much worse. Yes, we were witness to destruction of property the police were quick to deploy watercannons to ensure that any damage to property was controlled and kept to a minimum. As we left, the Kantonspolizei relieved the City Police and embarked on dispersing the crowds.

What annoyed me most about this demonstration was the willing destruction of property without apparent motivation. A demonstrator waved his flag of the Soviet Union throughout the demo - in apparent support of a Communist-style of government. Had he known the death and destruction wreaked by Soviet Governments, I doubt he would be waving that flag with such pride.

Having finished with the May Day rioting at Helvetiaplatz, we headed over to the Niederdorf for something to eat. Leaving Helvetiaplatz, it was quite amazing that merely one or two blocks away, things were quite normal. Trams were running and people going about their day to day business - almost as if nothing was happening.

Pictures and descriptions as the events unfold...

This was the first rush of people we saw. This is what alerted us to the police presence in a street adjoining Helvetiaplatz. A water-canon was at the end of the street and the police had fired tear-gas and rubber-bullets which prompted this stampede. You can see the stolen Böögg to the rear left of this image.

Just after we had witnessed the mad rush over the fences by the Böögg, this young man collapsed behind me. He was helped away by a medical attendant.

The water canons that had been deployed around Helvetiaplatz were to become a regular feature of our "outting." They would attract, and be attracted by, the largest crowds of demonstrators all eager to throw stones, bottles and a whole plethora of projectiles at this "symbol of establishment oppression." If you ask me, these children should be busy doing their homework.

The Zurich City police were relieved by the police force of the Canton. Here, the Stadtspolizei had withdrawen in order to allow the Kantonspolizei a free reign at the street. Some militants had started to progress down this street and the Kantonspolizei were keen to establish their authority quickly. They'd brought in some of the "artillery" which you can see behind the running officers. This street and one other join Helvetiaplatz at a corner - we later discovered that the police had sealed both roads simulatenously. They had water canons on both roads - which they were more than happy to use, presumably in a concerted effort to disperse the crowd.

A masked militant at Zürich's Helvtiplatz for May Day.

This image was taken from the doorway of a building in a street off Helvetiaplatz, Zürich. It shows a standoff between hooded youths protesting on May Day and Zürichs City Police. The Police are armed and ready to fire rubber-bullets at the protestors. Currently, there is no water-canon here - but one is deployed in this street later.

A gathering.

Rioters taunt the police.

Well, heres a young pair of thugs who seem intent on trouble. Back to school, boys!

Rioters again taunt the police.

Rioters being sprayed with a water canon.


The rioters had brought the barricades up close to the police line. When the police moved forward with the water canon, the police stopped and brought down the barricade before continuing along the street.


The writing was on the wall for those writing on the wall. Shortly after this young rascal climbed the wall, the water canon removed him from it.

Once again, this in a street adjacent to Helvetiaplatz. To the right of the image is Helvetiaplatz itself. There is a large group of demonstrators there who have retreated having been fired up whilst taunting the "Poulet Polizei." This protestor was fired upon thirty-seconds later.

This image of Zurichs Helvetiaplatz shows two protestors being fired upon having topped up the fire. I never knew you could start fires like that rubbing two pieces of wood together. With petrol on the other hand ......

Luckily, Chris had to work this day and we safely were in the E&Y office, along the parade route, when all of this occurred. We heard chanting and the demonstrations from the office, but we weren't involved. The photos and descriptions above represent another ex-pats experience. When we left the office at about 8PM that day, all was quiet and everything was cleaned up. However, there was approximately 100 police officers in full riot gear directly outside the E&Y office.