Moscow: Around 30,000 people took part in May Day rallies in downtown Moscow, the chief spokesman for the Moscow police said on Thursday. "The situation is calm, everything is proceeding according to plan. Everyone is in a festive mood," Viktor Biryukov said.

May 1 is Spring and Labor Day across Russia, a national holiday. In Soviet times, May 1 saw massive pro-Communist Party rallies. Russia's political parties have also taken the opportunity to hold rallies, with supporters of the ruling United Russia party, the Communist Party, the ultranationalist LDPR party and A Just Russia taking part in rallies across the city.

An opposition 'March of Dissent' was staged in St. Petersburg with the participation of several hundred demonstrators. Biryukov said the biggest rally had taken place on Tverskaya Square and involved about 23,000 people, adding that about 9,000 security personnel were deployed to ensure law and order.

Source : IANS