Police blockaded entrances to Taksim Square in Istanbul to prevent International Workers’ Day protests and have so far detained 220 demonstrators.
This year, due to coronavirus restrictions imposed by the government, people were not allowed to gather on the streets. However, many people from various political parties, syndicates and groups took to the streets of Istanbul despite the police blockade and lockdown.
On their way to İstiklal Avenue, demonstrators chanted the slogans, “Taksim cannot be closed to the people”, “Long live our struggle for the 1st of May”, “Long live May Day” and “Bijî 1 Gulan” (Long live the 1st of May in Kurdish).
Protestors faced police brutality and so far 220 several people have been detained. They are being held in district police stations while waiting to be taken to hospitals for medical checks.