May Day celebrations in the Nordic region focused on themes ranging from Denmark's upcoming referendum on the euro to a general strike expected in Norway this week and Sweden's fight against racism.
In Copenhagen, a police vehicle was overturned and six people were arrested when some 600 anti-capitalist youths marched through the capital. Some 25-30 of the activists threw stones, bottles and tomatoes at police.
The Prime Minister, Mr Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, urged Danes to vote for membership in the single currency in the September 28th referendum. "I don't want to see Denmark as a small boat in a large open sea. We are more vulnerable alone on the sidelines," he said.
In Norway, top business and industry executives were blamed for a general strike that is expected tomorrow.
In Finland, May Day speeches also focused on wages, as union officials called for a three-year deal to support growth in purchasing power and job creation.
In Sweden, more than 310,000 people turned out across the country for May Day celebrations, but Social Democratic party secretary Mr Lars Stjernkvist lamented the fact that the day has in recent years become more of a family excursion.