Occupy May Day protests across US as activists and unions link up

The Occupy Wall Street movement has attempted to breathe new life into its campaign against inequities in the global financial system with a series of May Day protests across around the US.

Thousands of people turned out in New York for a day of action that culminated in a confident march down Broadway in the evening sunshine towards Wall Street, the crucible of the protest that began last year with an angry backlash against banking excess.

The stated aim of bringing business in the commercial capital of the US to a standstill went unfulfilled, but as rain gave way to a bright spring afternoon, traffic ground to a halt in lower Manhatttan as the Occupy movement's most anticipated day of action in months took hold.

There were some clashes with police as officers clamped down on perceived violations, resulting in over 50 arrests. There were also flashpoints at protests in other cities.

In Oakland, California, scene of violent clashes between activists and police in recent months, police fired tear gas, sending hundreds of demonstrators scrambling. Four people were arrested.

Officers also fired "flash-bang" grenades to disperse protesters converging on officers as they tried to make arrests, police said. Four people were taken into custody.

Black-clad protesters in Seattle used sticks to smash downtown windows and ran through the streets disrupting traffic. The city's mayor, Mike McGinn, made an emergency declaration allowing police to confiscate any items that could be used as weapons.

In San Francisco, the Occupy movement was blamed for a night of violence in which cars and small businesses were vandalised. Protest organisers later attempted to distance themselves from the disruption.

In New York, threatening letters containing a white powder that appeared to be corn starch were sent to some institutions in the city. Three letters were received on Tuesday: two at News Corporation headquarters and addressed to the Wall Street Journal and Fox News, and one at Citigroup. The message in the letters said: "Happy May Day".

Seven letters were received on Monday at various banks. One was sent to the New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg.

But in all, Tuesday's disruptions amounted more or less to a series disparate incidents in a day that was far less violent than some of the scenes witnessed when the movement was at its peak last year.

In New York, the day of protest began in morning rain at Bryant Park where demonstrators gathered before setting off on marches around the area.

Outside a branch of Bank of America protesters chanted: "Bank of America, bad for America". One participant, Jason Ahamdi, said he was ready for a long day of demonstrating. "I'm prepared for the whole day," Ahmadi told the Guardian, saying he had been involved in preparations for weeks.

As demonstrators marched past the headquarters of News Corp, the Fox News ticker read: "May Day, May Day, May Day, police set to deal with Occupy crowd that vows to shut down the city", and "NYPD and big corporations braced for trouble".

In Bryant Park, there were many of the staple elements of Occupy's original encampment, including a library with works from Thoreau, Alice Walker and F Scott Fitzgerald.

A screenprinting table was set up where participants could "up-cycle" their clothing, adding Occupy logos and imagery to them.

"Why buy something new when you can improve something you already have?" said David Yap, who was volunteering at the stand.

Eileen Maxwell arrived in New York on Saturday, motivated by the influence of corporate money on the political process. She dismissed the idea that the protest movement had declined in relevance. "People think we're invisible. We're not," she said.

There were some clashes with police during the day, particularly during attempts to break out of the park on marches that did not have police permits. During one such attempt, at around 1pm, demonstrators, most clad in black and many with their faces covered, faced off against scores of NYPD officers.

Shortly after 1pm, the demonstrators attempted to begin their march amid chants of "a-anti, anti-capitalista". Moments after they stepped off the sidewalk, attempting to cross an intersection, police moved in to stop them. A confrontation ensued and one young man was pulled to the ground by his hair. With his face pressed against a sewer grate the man was handcuffed and arrested along with several others.

The rucus at the front of the park created an opportunity for others to slip out through the rear, where demonstrators quickly moved into the roadway. The march tore through China Town and Soho, with demonstrators darting down streets and sprinting to stay ahead of police scooters in pursuit.

As he watched the rowdy march pass, Jason Rose cheered in support. "I think they're doing the right thing," Rose said. Seth Carter, another bystander, agreed: "I think this is the best thing."

But reactions were mixed. "Is this Russia?" asked Harold Barksy, as he watched a contingent of chanting protesters pass through Midtown earlier in the day. "It looks like a communist country. All this bullshit. I think they should get jobs instead of fucking around."

During the afternoon the focus switched to Union Square. Again protesters took the street. "They were powerful," said Paul Moore, who said he saw demonstrators push through a "football line" of police officers.

Once gathered in Union Square, Occupy Wall Street supporters converged with thousands of union members and community activists for a free concert. With a police helicopter circling low overhead, Grammy-award winning guitarist Tom Morello opened with his Worldwide Protest Song.

Morello told the Guardian that he "flew 3,000 miles" to aid the movement in its effort to "push a social justice agenda".

After the concert, which also included performances from Immortal Technique, Das Racist and Dan Deacon, thousands of protesters marched south down Broadway, closed to traffic by the police, to the financial district.

Led by several New York City taxi cabs and scores of union members, the protesters arrived to Manhattan's southern tip with plans for a long night to come.

"I hope it turns out beautifully," said one protester, who called herself Anne F, as the remaining demonstrators gathered at a Vietnam veterans' memorial for a popular assembly.

As a police helicopter circled above, Occupy Wall Street organiser Nelini Stamp gave details of May Day events around the country and the world to the crowd. "I think the day was a success," Stamp told the Guardian.

Noting widespread and diverse participation throughout the day, Stamp added: "We showed that we are a force to be reckoned with."

Roughly an hour after Stamp addressed the crowd, scores of New York City police officers with riot gear moved in to enforce a 10pm curfew at the memorial. Roughly a dozen clergy members and veterans – some of them having served in Vietnam – locked arms and attempted to block the eviction. They were arrested and the NYPD proceeded to clear all remaining demonstrators from the area.

Herded through a series of winding streets by police officers chanting "Move! Move! Move!", protesters were repeatedly commanded to stay on the sidewalk and told to keep moving so they were not blocking pedestrian traffic. Several violent arrests, some of which took place on the sidewalks they were told to walk on, added to a sense of confusion among protesters. Some complained they were unfairly targeted for their political beliefs.

"I'm allowed to stand on a sidewalk!" shouted Anthony Zenkus.

Zenkus said that after the New York Giants' recent Superbowl victory he saw far more disorderly behaviour but police turned a blind eye. "There were drunk people jumping up and down on cop cars," he said.

"The only reason the police presence is what it is, is because the mayor doesn't like our message."