Police in Istanbul use tear gas and brute force against demonstrators who gathered to mark today's Labor Day in a square " Taksim, where the demonstrations were banned by the authorities, BTA reported, citing Turkish media.
According to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, quoted by Turkish private television CNN-Turk, 210 people have been arrested, and the situation in the city resembles a state of emergency.
Clashes began when a group of demonstrators with flags and placards tried to enter Taksim Square. in the city center from the nearby "Istiklal" boulevard.
Since last night, the area has been cordoned off with iron barriers, riot police and armored cars, and access to the square has been banned.
In the neighborhood of "Taksim" areas "Sisli" and "Okmeidan" there were also clashes between the police and demonstrators and arrests, the television reported. The police did not allow the demonstrators to reach "Taksim".
In front of the Istanbul Greater Municipality in the "Sarachkhane" many people also flocked. Groups of demonstrators headed from "Sarachkhane" to "Taksim", but their path was blocked by police teams and clashes ensued.
Since last night, the center of Istanbul has been literally blocked by police, tear gas cars, armored "Toma" cars, located on the streets leading to the center. Taksim Square is separated by metal partitions. Many of the arteries of public transport are stopped. Passenger ships have been canceled between the European and Asian coasts to prevent people from congregating.
Interior Minister Ali Yorlikaya stated that they will not allow demonstrations in "Taksim" despite the unions' calls for a free celebration of the holiday.
The leader of the opposition People's Republican Party, the largest opposition force in the country, Özgür Özel called on the authorities in the metropolis not to interfere with today's demonstrations.
The first of May in Turkey is celebrated as the Day of Labor and Workers' Solidarity, but every year it is accompanied by bans by the authorities on holding mass demonstrations and celebrations, especially in Taksim Square. in Istanbul, imposed by security reasons.
Every year the trade unions call for the celebration of May Day freely and without restrictions.
Taksim Square, where there is a monument to the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is an emblematic place for millions of workers. On this square in 1977, 40 people were killed and more than 200 people were injured during provocations during the celebration of May Day. Since then, the square and the monument of Atatürk have been honored as a memorial place for those who died, and the tradition is precisely on May Day to place wreaths and fresh flowers in front of the monument.
For several years, however, the authorities have been banning the events of "Taksim" on the occasion of May Day and every year this day is accompanied by clashes between the police and the demonstrators.
Today, over 42,000 police officers are on duty at a total of 264 points in the city to prevent prohibited demonstrations. In other parts of the metropolis, the authorities have given permission to hold rallies, processions and celebrations on the occasion of the holiday.