The Istanbul May Day Platform called on people to take to the streets on Workers’ Day despite repression and bans.

In a statement read out by the TÖP chairman Perihan Koca, the alliance pointed out that the government wants the bill for the economic crisis and pandemic to be paid by the working class and the people. "For a year now, workers’ only choice has been between virus death and starvation," said Koca adding: “Millions of people have been added to the millions already unemployed. The bosses use the "Code 29" as a new method to attack workers. Due to unemployment and lack of future prospects, the suicide rate has risen sharply. The pandemic is used by the government - the palace - to prevent and fight back social struggles. The brutal exploitation of working people continues. Despite the attacks, however, the resistance will be continued and expanded.”

Perihan Koca referred to the struggles of the workers of corporations such as Sinbo, Baldur, SML, PTT, Migros and Cargill DÖHLER reminding that “the working class is organizing against exploitation everywhere. The repressive atmosphere does not only affect the working people, but has spread to all social groups.” In this context, Koca recalled the student protests at the Boğazici University, the exploitation of nature and the arrest of HDP deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu. “A massive resistance – she said - is taking place against the attacks by the AKP-MHP government coalition. May Day is an opportunity to unite the voices of all resisting groups.”

Koca added: “At Newroz, millions of people responded to the attacks. Women declare that they will not give up the Istanbul Convention, LGBTI+ people take their anger and demands onto the streets. On May Day, all resistance centers must organize together with the workers' front. It will be unacceptable if Taksim, May Day Square, is arbitrarily closed and all events banned."