Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 1, 1990 TAG: 9005010466
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A/1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MOSCOW LENGTH: Medium
For the first time, tens of thousands of unofficial demonstrators were permitted onto the square following the official march.
Some protesters unfurled dozens of yellow, red and green flags of secessionist Lithuania and shouted "Shame!" at the leaders, who were standing atop Lenin's mausoleum.
Gorbachev and other officials on the reviewing stand left after enduring the unofficial demonstrations for about 20 minutes. Some Many celebrate May Day free of communism. A8 protesters booed and jeered as the leaders left, and shouted, "Resign!" Festive music blared through loudspeakers around the square, making the shouting only barely audible.
It was not clear whether Gorbachev and the others left because of the huge outpouring of criticism, unprecedented on Red Square even in the country's tense political atmosphere.
During the protest, Gorbachev appeared impassive but was seen tapping his fingers on the parapet of the reviewing stand, as he often does when he is impatient.
For decades, the Red Square rally on May Day has been an orchestrated show of support for official policies.
A subway worker attending the parade as an official guest said he was stunned.
"A revolution is a revolution. What else can I say?" said the worker, who identified himself only as Yuri.
At least one marcher carried the Soviet flag with the hammer and sickle cut out. Another sign called Soviet leaders "The Kremlin Ceausescus," after the executed Romanian dictator. Others said "Down with the Empire of Red Fascism," and "Today a Blockade of Lithuania, Tomorrow a Blockade of Moscow."
The protest was not shown on state-run television, which ended its transmissions after the official march.
by CNB