[Leesifer]

On a slight side note, I remember the first May Day protests in the City (London). Quite a few of us went out that lunchtime to see what was going on and it was great fun! There was no trouble, there were families, the obligatory naked man (quite well known in the City for his demonstrations, so it was funny to actually see him in the flesh!!).

It was a real carnival atmosphere - however, I am well aware that this all turned very sour as the day went on. When it first started, it was, as I said, very peaceful and carnival like. We were all quite shocked when it all turned sour because of the earlier atmosphere.

So, whatever good intentions there are to begin with, unfortunately, these things will always have the capacity to turn bad. Human nature/mob mentality and all that.

[Edited to add: after the first year, our firm sent out a warning not to venture out for further May Day protests, because of the way the first one turned]