Unions Arrive in Taksim

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The United Public Labor Union, Confederation of Right Worker Unions (HAK-İŞ), Civilian Officials’ Union (SİME-SEN) gathered in Taksim to mark the workers who lost their lives on May 1, 1977.

The United Public Labor Union members stood a moment of silence after having left a wreath on Cumhuriyet Monument. The group then went to the Kazancı Yokuşu and issued a statement for the press.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Education Union Chair Mehmet Balık said that “We are here to commemorate them in the anniversary of the tragic event we lived in 1977. We are living in times in which occupational homicides and worker deaths hit the peak. I call on the government for the necessary precautions to be taken. May workers, civil servants don’t die. Let us have the humane lives that we deserve”.

HAK-İŞ and SİME-SEN members as well issued a statement for the press after having left a wreathe on the Taksim Square.

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)