May Day rallies kicked off this morning with thousands lining the streets across Turkey, no less in the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul. Demonstrators, demanding labour rights, better working conditions and fair pay, gathered at Saraçhane and marched to the famous Taksim Square. A large blockade of riot police stood guard at Unkapanı bridge, the entrance to the square, confronting demonstrators with heavy handed interventions.
Authorities have banned protests at the site of the Taksim Massacre, which took place during the 1970’s resistance movement, for 11 consecutive years to prevent mass protests.
Undeterred, representatives of confederations, unions, worker groups and political parties gathered en masse at the police blockade. Turkish daily newspaper Yeni Yasam reported that people attempting to enter the square were detained with their arms tied behind their backs, and subjected to torture by the police. Rubber bullets and tear gas have been used against the demonstrators.
The security force clampdown at Taksim Square was fiercely opposed by protesters, who demanded the democratic right to free and peaceful protest:
İstanbul'da yürüyüş kolu barikatın kurulduğu Unkapanı köprüsüne vardı. Barikatlar açılsın, emekçiler bayramlarını özgürce kutlasın! #HerYerTaksimHerYer1Mayıs pic.twitter.com/IkKjuMv9AQ
— KESK (@KESK1995) May 1, 2024
At least 60 people, including lawyers and press workers, have been detained in Istanbul, according to Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD).
Notable figures to join the march included Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chair Özgür Özel, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, and the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions (DİSK) President Arzu Çerkezoğlu.
Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) held a significant presence, representing intellectuals, young people, women, trade union leaders, and workers.
Fabrikalar, tarlalar, siyasi iktidar…
⚙️Her şey emeğin olacak!#1Mayıs pic.twitter.com/fjpaqrWyAY
— Türkiye İşçi Partisi – İstanbul (@TipIstanbul) May 1, 2024
The Independent Mineworkers Union of Turkey marched “against dying underground, slavery above ground, and the ban in Taksim!”:
Yeraltında ölmeye, yer üstünde köleliğe, Taksim’de yasağa karşı madenciler burada!
Taksim’de #1Mayıs için mücadeleci sendikalarla buluştuk. Yaşasın 1 Mayıs! pic.twitter.com/iMWYvVQrJ4
— Bağımsız Maden İş (@bagimsizmadenis) May 1, 2024
The Free Women’s Movement (TJA) were joined by a wealth of women’s organisations, including the Women’s Council of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democracy and Equality Party (DEM), advocating for fair representation in the workplace.
Feminists demonstrating on May Day in Istanbul, Turkey
