Berlin police detain 68 in May Day violence

Berlin, May 1: Berlin police detained 68 people early on May Day for acts of violence such as throwing bottles, stones and firecrackers at authorities, a spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman said she had no information about injuries. She said those detained for the violence in the eastern district of Friedrichshain were for the most part drunken youths.

Police are bracing for further clashes on the national Labour Day holiday, marked by a May Day parade and celebrations attended by tens of thousands of people.

Berlin has faced May Day violence every year since 1987. In recent years luxury cars were tipped over and set on fire, while anarchists hurled stones and bottles at police.

In an attempt to prevent or limit the violence in the German capital, some 5,000 riot police will be on duty today.

REUTERS>