ETUC Protests Violence at May Day

European Trade Union Confederation General Secretary John Monks criticized the excessive use of force by the Istanbul police towards demonstrators in Tuesdays May Day rally. Monks protested the arrest of union leaders and expressed solidarity.

Brussels

European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) General Secretary John Monks expressed concern over Tuesday's violent interference by the Istanbul police to demonstrators trying to hold a May Day rally.

"It's unacceptable to interfere a peaceful rally with tear gas and arresting tens of union leaders", Monks said.

Also protesting the Turkish police's attempts to block the media from reporting the events Monks expressed ETUC member unions' solidarity with their counterparts in Turkey.

Police arrested at least 800 people on Tuesday, blocking main roads and halting all public transportation to city center in an attempt to block a May Day rally by Turkey's Confederation of Revolutionary Workers' Unions (DİSK).

Still, a thousand fold demonstrators held a rally in Taksim to commemorate those who died in the bloody May Day 1977.

Scores of people had been subjected to police violence and excessive use of tear gas affected civilians all around the city. NGO's and rights organizations urged for the resignation of Istanbul mayor Muammer Guler and police chief Celalettin Cerrah.(EÜ)