ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—Turkey observed International Workers’ Day with water cannons, tear gas, arrests, and one death as thousands marked the day under tight security.
Celebrations on May 1, an official holiday in Turkey, draw crowds of thousands and have often turned violent with clashes between workers and police. This year, Turkey is under heightened security following a series of deadly attacks.
Fifteen thousand police were on duty in Istanbul, and three helicopters patrolled overhead. Metro and bus stations were also subject to security measures. One hundred and twenty water cannon vehicles and some canine units were also on the streets on Sunday.
The night before, four suspected militants were arrested by the Ankara anti-terror department. Reports suggest the detainees are from Syria. They are accused of planning to launch an attack during the May 1 demonstrations in Istanbul.
One man was killed after being hit by a water cannon vehicle while crossing a street near Taksim Square; Nail Mavus, 57, died of his injuries in hospital.
Water cannons were turned on a crowd of about 40 protesters gathering near the square.
Entry to Taksim Square is prohibited on International Workers’ Day. A massacre occurred in the square on May 1, 1977, known as ‘bloody May Day’ when unknown people fired into the crowd, killing dozens. The location holds special symbolism for the holiday.
Taksim Square was also the center of anti-government protests in 2013 when thousands demonstrated against then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Events marking Sunday’s holiday were planned to be held at the bazaar in Istanbul’s Bakirkoy district.
Police used tear gas against members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) after a confrontation between HDP and police at a checkpoint at an entry to the bazaar. HDP members were chanting ‘biji Kurdistan’ (long live Kurdistan). One person was injured and taken to hospital.
Elsewhere, police used tear gas on a group of about 20 protesters before arresting them.
Hurriyet Daily News reported that posters “deemed inappropriate” were confiscated by police.
In his message to the nation on the holiday, President Erdogan called for dialogue and reconciliation between workers, unions and employers. “It is of outmost importance for the development of our democracy that our workers, who contribute significantly to the improvement and the enrichment of our country, to demonstrate a democratic and peaceful attitude while demanding justice.”
Several events in other cities in Turkey were cancelled due to security concerns.
Celebrations on May 1, an official holiday in Turkey, draw crowds of thousands and have often turned violent with clashes between workers and police. This year, Turkey is under heightened security following a series of deadly attacks.
Fifteen thousand police were on duty in Istanbul, and three helicopters patrolled overhead. Metro and bus stations were also subject to security measures. One hundred and twenty water cannon vehicles and some canine units were also on the streets on Sunday.
The night before, four suspected militants were arrested by the Ankara anti-terror department. Reports suggest the detainees are from Syria. They are accused of planning to launch an attack during the May 1 demonstrations in Istanbul.
One man was killed after being hit by a water cannon vehicle while crossing a street near Taksim Square; Nail Mavus, 57, died of his injuries in hospital.
Water cannons were turned on a crowd of about 40 protesters gathering near the square.
Entry to Taksim Square is prohibited on International Workers’ Day. A massacre occurred in the square on May 1, 1977, known as ‘bloody May Day’ when unknown people fired into the crowd, killing dozens. The location holds special symbolism for the holiday.
Taksim Square was also the center of anti-government protests in 2013 when thousands demonstrated against then Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Events marking Sunday’s holiday were planned to be held at the bazaar in Istanbul’s Bakirkoy district.
Police used tear gas against members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) after a confrontation between HDP and police at a checkpoint at an entry to the bazaar. HDP members were chanting ‘biji Kurdistan’ (long live Kurdistan). One person was injured and taken to hospital.
Elsewhere, police used tear gas on a group of about 20 protesters before arresting them.
Hurriyet Daily News reported that posters “deemed inappropriate” were confiscated by police.
In his message to the nation on the holiday, President Erdogan called for dialogue and reconciliation between workers, unions and employers. “It is of outmost importance for the development of our democracy that our workers, who contribute significantly to the improvement and the enrichment of our country, to demonstrate a democratic and peaceful attitude while demanding justice.”
Several events in other cities in Turkey were cancelled due to security concerns.
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