Nepal on the Brink

Tens of thousands of Maoist supporters in Ratna Park on May Day

A celebrant at the May Day rally

Demonstrators march to rally site

Re-enacting a scene from the 2006 peace accord when the civil war ended

A giant flag carried by a Maoist demonstrator on the streets of Kathmandu, Nepal

Young guitarist seated with Maoist leader Prachanda

Many of the demonstrators are not card-carrying Maoists but come from remote villages to join the anti-government protest.

Red was certainly the most popular color of the day on the streets of Kathmandu

Police guarding Maoist leaders at May Day rally

Maoist leaders on stage

A dancer on stage at the Maoists May Day rally

A short "revolutionary" historical musical on stage at the May Day rally in Kathmandu

Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal, better known as Prachanda, speaking at May Day rally

Police block a street in central Kathmandu during the May Day rally

A young Nepali boy and his guitar at the May Day Rally

Although the Army is not visible some of the police on the streets have shotguns and rifles

The view from the stage at the May Day rally in Ratna Park, Kathmandu