No Permission for May 1 Celebrations in Taksim

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Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu has announced that May 1 Labor Day won’t be celebrated in Taksim.

Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) Chair Kani Baki abd Soylu discussed today (April 24) whether May 1 will be celebrated in Taksim.

The DİSK, Confederation of Public Workers’ Union (KESK), Union of Chambers of Turkish Architects and Engineers (TMMOB), and Turkish Medical Association (TTB) had organized the May 1 celebrations, which are organized in Taksim district of İstanbul every year, in Beyoğlu Public Market.

May 1 and Taksim

May 1 was celebrated in Turkey for the first time in 1906.

In 1977, fire was opened during May 1 celebrations at the Takim Square, killing 34 people. The event passed into history as “Bloody May “.

In 1979, May celebrations were banned in İstanbul and curfew was declared.

In 1989, a group of 2,000 people attempting to march towards Taksim on İstikal Street were dispersed by the police. A young man named Mehmet Akif Dalcı was shot to death during the incidents.

In 2009, over 5,000 people celebrated May 1 at the Taksim Square. Even though the governorship declared that no pepper gas would be used, police intervened in the demonstrators with pepper gas.

In 2010, the Taksim Square was opened to “demonstrations” after 32 years.

In 2013, the police attacked the groups that wanted to go to the Taksim Square. The celebrations were held following a police intervention that lasted seven hours. The police attacked that celebrations as well.

In 2014 and 2015, the Taksim Square was closed to May 1 celebrations. The groups rallying in Beşiktaş and Şişli confronted police attack. (NV/TK)