Mayday Rallies Down On Regime For More Jobs, Higher Wages

A Mayday demonstration and central square rally gathered six thousand or more in Volgograd, former Stalingrad, provincial and industrial centre in the Volga's lower reaches. No violent outbreaks were reported though the rallies were bitterly critical of the regime. Labour and communists joined hands for a first time within the last ten years to arrange the event. With a "Jobs, Wages, Social Guarantees" motto, rally speakers protested against poverty, abuse of rights, land sales and rising municipal electricity and heating fees. They demanded flat social taxation abolished and a Labour Code passed in the population's interests. Celebrations go on, fireworks to crown them at night.