Labour Day marked by political rallies and gatherings in Prague

A Labour Day meeting of the Social Democrats and Communists took place on Prague's Střelecký Island on Monday. The president of the Prague branch of the Communist Party, Marta Semelová, condemned capitalism, saying it led to poverty and war, and defended socialism in her party address.

The gathering also drew a small group of anti-communist opponents. The group of around a dozen people held up anti-communist signs and Czech, Ukrainian, US and NATO flags, chanted "shame", and called for the outlawing of the Communist Party of the Czech Republic.

A group of anarchists also held a Labour Day picnic on Střelecký Island, followed by a march in the afternoon through the centre to Štvanice Island, where a concert rounded out the event.