In line with the decision of the Istanbul Governor's Office, gatherings on May Day are not permitted in Taksim Square this year. Following the ban, the area around Taksim Square is being cordoned off with police barriers.
Taksim Square in Istanbul's central Beyoğlu district has been cordoned off by police in the run-up to Workers' Day on 1 May. All access routes have been closed off with metal barriers. As every year, there is a ban on demonstrations in the square where a massacre took place on 1 May 1977.
The Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions (DISK), the Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions (KESK), the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) and the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) announced recently that this year’s International Workers’ Day will be celebrated in Kadıköy.
Arzu Çerkezoğlu, Chairperson of DISK, stated that, as in previous years, they had submitted an application to celebrate in Taksim, but the prohibitive stance of the authorities continues.
“Kadikoy Square is one of the places where we have celebrated May Day in the past. This year, without stepping back from our demand for Taksim, we will stand together in Istanbul’s Kadikoy Square," Çerkezoğlu said in a statement on April 19.
In the meantime, many people who called for gatherings in Taksim have been detained.
Following the governor's ban, police began erecting barriers around Taksim Square, Gezi Park, and the Republic Monument on Wednesday.
In addition, roads leading to Taksim will be closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic as of tomorrow morning. Some of the barriers have been placed around the square, while others are being kept on standby.
Taksim Massacre
On 1 May 1977, a massacre took place in Taksim Square. Well over 500,000 people from different provinces of the country took part in the Labour Day demonstration organised by DISK. Many of them had not even entered the square when the first shots were fired. The security forces then attacked with armoured vehicles, firing gas grenades and using water cannons. The number of victims is still a controversial issue; according to official figures, 34 people were killed and about 200 injured, while left-wing organisations speak of 37 dead. Some people remained lying on the spot, others ran away. Many were crowded into corners and run over by armoured vehicles. More than 500 people were detained during the course of the crackdown.
