May Day violence hits Australia

Police arrested dozens of demonstrators in Sydney

By Red Harrison in Sydney

Thousands of protesters in Australia have fought with police in cities across the country, blockading stock exchange buildings, offices and city streets.

Authorities put up barricades around stock exchanges in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, but these precautions were not enough to prevent violence.

Police in Sydney drew batons as protesters charged. Two policemen were injured, one stabbed in the leg, and about 30 marchers were arrested.

Protesters attacked a branch of McDonalds with paint

Protesters in Brisbane threw themselves on the road to try to prevent police vans driving away with those arrested.

In Perth, about 300 marchers tried to force their way into the stock exchange, but were repelled by police charging on horseback.

Thousands of trade unionists on their traditional May Day parade joined the M1 marchers in Melbourne, lining arms to force the closure of several city streets.

Police reported few scuffles but one group burned an effigy of the prime minister.