The square is a focal point of the city and is often used for political and trade union rallies. Perhaps the biggest of these meetings occurred on January 31, 1919 when campaigners for improved conditions for workers organised a rally. It is estimated that some 90,000 individuals turned up.
The meeting descended into violence between the protestors and the police and the then Liberal government overreacted to the raising of the Red Flag at the square thinking that a Bolshevik insurrection was beginning. In response English troops and tanks were put on the streets of the city to quell any potential insurrection, which wasn't forthcoming.
As well as being used for rallies and meetings more generally the square is used as a meeting point by many of the city's residents.