In line with the decision of the Istanbul Governor's Office, gatherings on May Day are not permitted in Taksim Square this year either. More than 200 people were detained as they attempted to access Taksim Square to celebrate May Day.
Taksim Square in Istanbul's central Beyoğlu district has been cordoned off by the police since yesterday. 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 that this year’s International Workers’ Day would be celebrated in Kadıköy.
Following the call of the May Day Organizing Committee, many unions and institutions took action to enter Taksim today. They were prevented and attacked by the police during an attempt to access the square.
The Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD) Istanbul Branch announced that more than 200 people were taken into custody. Among those detained are ESP (Socialist Party of the Oppressed) Co-Chair Murat Çepni, lawyers Rojhat Tunç, Saruhan Efe Kadaifçi, Lütfi Sabri Batı, Arkın Hürtaş and Yunus Emre Işık.
Members of the construction workers’ union İnşaat-İş who gathered in Mecidiyeköy to march to Taksim were also detained.
Young people marching to Taksim and protesting the police attack were handcuffed behind their backs and detained.
Members of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed and SOLDEP were detained on their way to Şişli Square.
