May Day in Russia: The Highlights
Participants hold flags and banners during a Communist May Day rally in St. Petersburg May 1, 2014. Russians celebrate the coming of Spring and, since communist times, Labor Day on the first day of May. The message on the Stalin portrait reads, "Our business is right. Victory will follow us."
Alexander Demianchuk / Reuters
Gay rights activists march with flags and placards during a May Day rally in St. Petersburg May 1, 2014.
Alexander Demianchuk / Reuters
A member of Russia's Communist party carries a portrait of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, during a May Day rally in Moscow May 1, 2014.
Maxim Shemetov / Reuters
Members of Russia's Communist party carry banners and flags during a rally in Moscow May 1, 2014.
Maxim Shemetov / Reuters
Members of Russia's Communist party carry banners and flags during a May Day rally in Moscow May 1, 2014. The placard reads, "Isn't it time to chase out the vermin?" (R)
Maxim Shemetov / Reuters
A participant holding a portrait of toppled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi takes part in a May Day rally in Moscow May 1, 2014.
Sergei Karpukhin / Reuters
Russian nationalists hold a banner as they take part in a May Day rally in Moscow May 1, 2014.
Tatyana Makeyeva / Reuters
Russian nationalists carry a Russian Imperial flag as they take part in a May Day rally in Moscow May 1, 2014.
Tatyana Makeyeva / Reuters
People walk through Red Square with flags and banners during a rally in Moscow May 1, 2014.
Sergei Karpukhin / Reuters