Thursday 3 May 2012

MAY DAY 2012 IN MELBOURNE

On May Day at lunchtime I was walking back to the office after a meeting and chanced upon a May Day demonstration in central Melbourne. It was a rather mild affair with a few dozen of protesters, but they did manage to stop the traffic for a few minutes while the crowd watched with expressions ranging from apathy to mild amusement to annoyance. The police were there to keep an eye on things and the demonstrators moved on after a while.

We are still relatively fortunate here in Australia in these terrible times of economic crisis. The unemployment rate tends to be quite low compared to other Western nations, the economy (although not booming) is still fairly healthy, and our lifestyle is still quite relaxed. We are counting our blessings, but the question is, till when? How long will the mining boom that has buoyed up the economy last? Will international pressures force our economy down sooner rather than later? One thinks of the fat and lean cows, and we must prepare ourselves for the worse…

This post is part of Pat's Things in a Row meme, which in this case is demonstrators and police officers in a row!
It is also part of the Challenge Walk In The Street meme.




14 comments:

  1. Things were SO BAD here in Seattle yesterday, with mobs, violence, destruction, arrests etc. etc. Sad way to celebrate any day! Your marches seem quite well contained! How fortunate! Great post for the day as always, Nick. Have a wonderful day, stay safe!

    Sylvia

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  2. Yesterday was traffic jams here and there; but I choose to tolerate their actions more as they are in struggling for getting better welfare. But of course, I'll say no to any violence and anarchy.

    www.1sthappyfamily.com

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  3. I don't recall hearing of any problems here in our city, but then, I have been rather preoccupied...your demonstrations seem quite orderly.

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  4. Canada's economy is doing well compared to many other nations but it is weaker than we had at first thought. There are a few demonstrations beginning to heat up here. A lot of people are concerned about the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots.

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  5. I have never demonstrated, but I admire those who do!

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  6. Great coverage of the event. Unemployment in Portugal: 15,3%!!! The third highest rate in the EU.

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  7. c'etait tres calme comme defile du premier mai, sur Paris c'etait la folie

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  8. Looks like just about any big city in the US... nicely captured!

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  9. I think the slow down is two things: people not spending because they are getting their own house in order; and, retailers and tourism operators not moving with the online and social-media times in an effort to keep their sales progressing.

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  10. oh. nevertheless, looks peaceful. may day over here was kind of "not happening", with nearly more photoreporters than people demonstrating ;)
    tomorrow one of the last speach of political figures at Syntagma Square.
    please have a good friday.

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  11. Gosh I don't recall hearing about any Mayday happenings here in Perth. Your demo looks pretty laid back Nick.

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  12. May day is celebrated just a tiny bit over here. Great shots

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  13. Looks like a peaceful demonstration. Nice shots.

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  14. In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.


    Cheap Flights to Melbourne | Flights to Melbourne | Cheap Air Tickets to Melbourne

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