Tension, widespread police operations against demonstrators and hundreds of arrests mark the Labour Day events…
Tension, widespread police operations against protesters and hundreds of prosecutions marked the Labour March Day in Istanbul again this year.
This year’s May Day in Turkey has, however, shown two different pictures: on the one hand, thetension and arrests in Istanbul and, on the other hand, the more peaceful and mass eventsin other cities across the country.
The May Day protests in Istanbul unfolded under tight security measures, with authorities banning access to Taksim Square and intervening with groups of protesters.
Police forcefully cracked down on protesters attempting to move towards Taksim Square from areas such as Besiktas and Medjidyekioi, even making use of tear gas. According to the Modern Lawyers Association, some 120 arrests were made. Among those arrested were trade unionists and members of political organisations, while incidents of violent arrests, with hands tied behind their backs, were also recorded. Among those arrested was trade unionist Basharan Aksu, who denounced the blockade of Taksim Square. In addition, 40 people were arrested during a march on the Bosphorus Bridge.
Since the early hours of the morning, the Instantine Municipality has put in place extensive security measures, blocking access to Taksim Square and central districts of the city.
Streets were closed in Pera, Sisli and Besiktas, while metro stations such as Taksim and Sishane were put out of service. At the same time, ferry services were disrupted.
The area of Medjidyekioi was turned into a ‘battlefield’, with heavy police forces, armoured vehicles and barricades. Authorities restricted access even to journalists, and the first arrests were made when groups of protesters tried to move towards Taksim Square.
The police interventions provokedpolitical reactions and criticism from the opposition.
The leader of the TİP party, Erkan Bash, accused the government of pitting workers and police officers against each other, calling for space to be given for free expression of demands.
Trade unions insisted on the right to gather in Taksim Square, stressing the square’s historical symbolism for the labor movement.
Unlike the incidents in the European part of the city, the events in Istanbul’s Chalcedon were held smoothly.
Thousands of workers, trade unions and organizations took part in the march that ended at Richtim Square, with demands for labor rights, social justice and democratic freedoms.
The rallies were marked by massive participation of unions such as DİSK, KESK and TMMOB. The police had a strong police presence, but without any incidents.
In other major cities, such as the Turkish capital Ankara and Izmir, May Day celebrations were more festive in nature.
Marches, musical events and mass participation by workers made up a different picture, with a strong presence of women, labour groups and miners who had recently been vindicated after mobilisations.
A separate tone to the events was set by a message from Istanbul’s detained mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, from Silivria Prison.
As he said: “Justice will be served. The work will be rewarded. This country will become more beautiful the day the workers find their justice. Long live May Day!”
From the government’s side, the head of the Turkish presidency’s communication directorate, Burhanetin Duran, stressed the importance of work for the future of the country.
As he said: “Every value built by sweat is a strong foundation for the country’s future.”
He also stressed that Turkey is moving “towards a stronger tomorrow with an approach that elevates work.”
In the same vein, Turkish Labor Minister Vedat Isikhan called workers “real heroes” of the country, pointing to reforms to improve working conditions and strengthen social rights.
