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In pictures: May Day protests around the world

Every year May Day is used to mark many things - from the coming of spring in the Northern Hemisphere to the fight for workers' rights. This year many rallies have been scaled back because of coronavirus lockdowns, although some have taken place on the streets and online.

Here are some of the events that have marked the day.

News imageAris Messinis / AFP Protest in AthensAris Messinis / AFP
Members of the Greek Labour Union (PAME), wearing protective masks and respecting the social distances, protest in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens
News image Aris Messinis / AFP A woman hands out red carnations Aris Messinis / AFP
The Greek government asked groups to delay public rallies by more than a week, but leading union GSEE called for a general strike to coincide with May Day
News image Bulent Kilic / AFP Turkish police clash with protesters Bulent Kilic / AFP
In Turkey, several demonstrators were arrested as they marched towards Istanbul's symbolic Taksim Square to mark May Day in defiance of the government's coronavirus lockdown
News imageMaja Hitij / Getty Images Protest in BerlinMaja Hitij / Getty Images
Gatherings in Germany are currently limited by authorities to a maximum of 20, which means many small May Day protests are taking place instead of traditional, large-scale marches
News imageAngelo Carconi / EPA-EFE A dog ine RomeAngelo Carconi / EPA-EFE
People wearing face masks walk in the almost deserted Piazza San Giovanni square on International Workers' Day in Rome, Italy
News imageAngelo Carconi / EPA-EFE Red ribbonAngelo Carconi / EPA-EFE
A red ribbon is tied to a lamppost in Rome where the streets would usually be full of protesters
News imageMurad Sezer / Reuters Demonstrators practice social distancingMurad Sezer / Reuters
In Thessaloniki, Greece, a woman holds a placard that reads: "No to robbing people for the profit of capital"
News imageThomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images Protest in ViennaThomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images
In Vienna, Austria, protesters hold a banner reading: "Organise the masses in the duty of the proletarian world revolution". There are 15 different registered demonstrations and gatherings across the city
News imageThomas Kronsteiner / Getty Images Painted floor to keep people apartThomas Kronsteiner / Getty Images
At one of those Vienna protests, participants painted circles on the floor to keep their distance as they demonstrated against the government measures to slow down the spread of coronavirus
News image Billy H.C. Kwok / Getty Images Riot police in Hong Kong Billy H.C. Kwok / Getty Images
In Hong Kong riot police set up a cordon as pro-democracy activists gather outside a shopping centre
News imageQuique Garcia / EPA-EFE Protest in SpanQuique Garcia / EPA-EFE
Trade union members in Barcelona, Spain, hold up placards in front of the emergency admissions of a medical centre, calling for better working conditions and more protective equipment
News image Nabil Mounze / EPA Protest in Beirut Nabil Mounze / EPA
In Beirut anti-government demonstrators and supporters of the Lebanese Communist took part in protests against the reform plans of the government announced by Prime Minister Hassan Diab.
News imageYuri Kadobnov / AFP A man mends paving stones in Red SquareYuri Kadobnov / AFP
In Moscow the traditional May Day celebrations were cancelled and in an empty Red Square a lone worker was seen making repairs to the paving stones.
News imageLoic Venance / AFP A woman walks down a street decorated by dozens of handmade garlandsLoic Venance / AFP
In Nantes, Western France, a woman walks down a street decorated by dozens of handmade garlands as the lockdown in continues.
News imageRoman Pilipey / EPA-EFE A family wearing masks in BeijingRoman Pilipey / EPA-EFE
China is loosening its nationwide restrictions after months of lockdown. Labour Day in the country began with an extended holiday. Here a family wearing protective face masks enters the Nanluoguxiang alley, a famous tourist spot at Hutong area of Beijing.

All photographs subject to copyright