On Monday, the Istanbul Governor's Office denied the request of labor unions and political parties to celebrate May 1st in Taksim Square, implementing restrictions likened to those during the State of Emergency. The governor's office announced that traffic restrictions would start at 4 AM on Tuesday for roads, and 5:30 AM for maritime and rail transport networks, effectively shutting down several public transport routes across Istanbul.
During his speech at the 13th Labor Council Program last night, President Erdoğan targeted the labor unions and political parties that sought to gather in Taksim for May Day celebrations. "Taksim is not a meeting place for rallies. We do not find the impositions for May 1st innocent. Opportunities should not be provided to terrorist organizations that seek to turn May 1st into a tool of propaganda through their frequent calls," Erdoğan stated.
The day's events unfolded with increased police presence and several interventions:
- At 8:30 AM, a reporter from Mücadele Birliği newspaper was detained while trying to enter the closed Taksim Square.
- Members of the "Youth Committees" attempting to reach Taksim from Mis Street were detained around 8:59 AM.
- By 10 AM, police had barricaded the area around the Bozdoğan Aqueduct in Saraçhane, where multiple water cannons (TOMA) were stationed.
- CHP leader Özgür Özel, accompanied by party members and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, reached Saraçhane and declared their intention to march towards Taksim, stating, "We will continue our struggle until Taksim is free."
- At 10:30 AM, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Vedat Işıkhan, spoke about the closure of Taksim Square to workers and laborers' celebrations, describing the square as "not open to mass actions or malicious marginal groups."
As tensions escalated, several journalists and protesters were detained, and the police used tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse crowds. The intervention extended to Saraçhane, where police instructed to "sweep the press," leading to further outcry against the suppression of media.
By 12:10 PM, major labor unions announced their withdrawal from the day's events due to the violent responses. Later in the day, the number of detainees reported by various legal and labor organizations exceeded 200.
The closure of Taksim Square, a significant site of labor and democratic movements in Turkey, directly contradicts the Constitutional Court's decision from December 2023, which underscored that prohibiting May Day celebrations in the square violates the right to assembly and demonstration guaranteed by the Constitution. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between governmental authority and civic freedoms in Turkey.
