Massive Security Deployment in Istanbul for May Day: Over 50,000 Police Mobilised, Hundreds Arrested

Turkish authorities deployed much than 52,000 constabulary officers crossed Istanbul connected Wednesday successful a sweeping information cognition aimed astatine preventing May Day protests, peculiarly successful the politically charged Taksim Square.

According to authoritative figures, astatine slightest 384 protesters were detained, though absorption media and civilian nine groups assertion the fig has exceeded 400, including 9 lawyers.

The crackdown follows a long-standing authorities argumentation of restricting entree to Taksim, a tract historically symbolic of workers’ rights and resistance. In 1977, astatine slightest 34 demonstrators were killed during a May Day rally astatine the square, a trauma that inactive resonates profoundly successful Turkey’s governmental memory.

Most of the arrests took spot successful the cardinal European-side districts of Mecidiyeköy, Şişli, and Beşiktaş, wherever groups attempted to defy a wide prohibition connected demonstrations. Authorities had sealed disconnected cardinal roads and metro stations from the aboriginal morning, efficaciously locking down the bosom of the city. While immoderate routes were reopened by midday, entree to Taksim and its surrounding areas remained restricted until precocious evening.

On the Asian broadside of the city, rallies were permitted successful prime locations. The left-wing labour confederations DISK and KESK, on with respective absorption parties and civilian nine groups, gathered successful Kadıköy. Meanwhile, Kartal hosted pro-government commercialized unions aligned with Turk-İş.

Speaking astatine the Kadıköy rally, Republican People’s Party (CHP) person Özgür Özel sharply criticised the government’s approach. “If squares similar Taksim are held hostage, blockaded, past determination is authoritarianism successful that country,” helium said. “Looking astatine Taksim Square today, you tin spot the insecurity of the government.”

The heavy-handed effect highlights deepening tensions betwixt Turkey’s ruling authorities and the opposition, amid wider concerns astir antiauthoritarian freedoms, labour rights, and governmental expression.

(Source: In.gr)