Hundreds of trade unionists turned out for a May Day rally at Clerkenwell Green on Friday before marching to Trafalgar Square. Speakers included assistant general secretary of the TUC Paul Nowak, GMB president Mary Turner, John Hilary, from War on Want, Matt Wrack, of the Fire Brigades Union, and Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union.London’s first May Day march in 1890, organised by the London Trades Council, began at the Green. In 1838, the first Tolpuddle Martyrs to return from Australia were welcomed at a mass meeting on the Green.The theme of Friday’s march was unity and solidarity – across the city, across the country and across the world.

• Keywords
  MAY DAY, TRADE UNIONS, PROTEST
• Geographical keyword
  CLERKENWELL GREEN