I keep getting told that this is a day to take care on. Is it really that bad?

With it being a public holiday I was speculating about what I would do and talked about spending the day wandering around Zurich. Only to then hear all the "take care" warnings!

I understand that there are political elements who "celebrate" the fact it is Mayday and that this doesn't involve men wearing skirts with bells on their socks dancing around a maypole

But how bad do things actually get? And if it's bad enough, is it a good idea to take off somewhere else on that day?

In one of the major cities in Switzerland, there will be a violent demo, there always is...

Once every few years, the riots are somewhat more intensive in Zürich but this is more or less unpredictable because we neither know the strategy of the police nor the plans of the so-called "black block". Traditionally the black block tries to make an unauthorised "after-demonstration" after the official procession. This results in more or less property damages and police confrontations.

According to Indymedia, the "Nachdemo" begins 14:00 in the Kasernenareal, so if you plan to visit the official festivities there, this is not the optimal moment to arrive there. Some years ago, persons from the black block succeeded to mix themselves in the crowd of festival goers, this made the police's job more difficult.

If you want to walk through the city after 14:00, this is no problem. You will notice a potential police vs rioters confrontation before you enter the danger zone.

The black block usually moves either to the Langstrasse or, sometimes, to the Limmat.

The events at Kasernenareal are political lectures, food and drink stalls and a children's play area. Helvetiaplatz will feature some lectures and live bands.

Last year the "fun" started in Langstrasse, around the corner from Helvetiaplatz.

If you've never seen rubber bullets in use, this is a good opportunity.

Personally I wouldn't specially go to Zurich town on May 1. The authorities may have got it more under control now, but past years have been pretty hairy...

You also have to take care at home!!!!!

I dont think this happens in every gemeinde but it happened to us so beware. I have been here 6 years, but now in a new place.

It is traditional that all the young working men go round on the night before stealing stuff. Apparantly you can leave some beer out or buy a sticker in advance (they use the profits for beer) and you wont be targeted.

All of the stuff is then taken to the village square where you have to collect it!

They took our 2 garden chairs last year.

(if you live in a flat then no problems!)

There was all sorts of stuff down there in the end.

well, I always keep away from the demonstrations because I don't want to end up on the no-fly list. But apart from that: uninvolved bystanders rarely get hurt and in recent years the demos have become a lot less violent.

go and watch.it's good entertainment. don't park your Mercedes in the wrong spot though.

and stay upwind of the action, stray clouds of tear gas have been known to engulf bystanders.

Only in Switzerland eh ? You can buy beer bribes as insurance against getting robbed...

dave

The violence is never funny; however, anything that starts is usually directed towards the Police, not bystanders. You can be enjoying the music, dancing, food and drinks in the sunshine and 40m away around the corner there'll be watercannon shooting at the Crusties. Surreal experience.

The celebrations are a joy: it's a real multi-culti atmosphere and great fun to see people enjoying the holiday. Ignore the horror warnings but use your sense: if you see a group chucking bottles in one direction, go 45° in another.

The Police are usually plainclothed as well as in full riot gear and mingle in the crowd. You can spot them easily enough by the Dunkin' Donuts baseball caps they wear

They're often very heavy handed: CS gas, dogs, batons etc. All a little provocative, in my opinion.

Businesses like McDonalds and Starbucks get a little nervous: windows sometimes get smashed and conspicuously expensive cars may get a kick.

On the whole, don't panic, it's usually very localised and not a reason to miss the festivities.

yes, tear gas and water cannon are very effective weapons in crowd- and disorder-control.

Walk into a gassed zone 20 minutes later and you'll cry

Hey all,

May 1st, is it a public holiday throughout the country or just in certain kantons? What about Bern?

cheers

just the whole of continental Europe really - so Bern should be off too.

you can be *the one* to go to work though

just to add "and not UK".

dave

nope, may-day is a regional holiday in Switzerland. The following cantons don't get a day (or several days) off:

Aargau
Appenzell (both)
Bern
Geneva
Glarus
Graubünden
Luzern
Neuchâtel
Nidwalden
Obwalden
Schwiiz
St. Gallen
Uri
Vaud
Wallis
Zug

that's usually because they have other public holidays that the rest of the Cantons don't have. In Aargau, "Berchtoldstag" is a holiday, for example.

Many other European countries don't consider may-day a holdiay. The UK, for example, but also Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands.

regards,

dakis

UK is hardly "continental Europe"

I'm not working just found out that i have classes as usual on this day in Bern.

UK continental Europe??

Reminds me of a headline (could have been Daily Express) a long time ago which reported...

"Thick fog in Channel - Continent cut off"

ho hum...

May day in the UK is May 7th! Just to confound those in the EU who celebrate on May 1st regardless of the day (weekends included). In Denmark it is not a national holiday but a "union holiday" Anyone who is a member of a union is given the day off by his/her employer. If not they jsut go anyway. All the unionists gather in a suitable place and get drunk.