Istanbul Police Clash with Protesters at Banned May Day Rally

On May 1, 2024, Istanbul police used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse protesters who attempted to reach Taksim Square, defying a government ban on marking Labour Day at the landmark location. Dozens of people were detained during the incident.

Thousands of protesters, including members of labor unions and leftist groups, had gathered in Istanbul to celebrate International Labor Day. However, the Turkish police sealed off Taksim Square to prevent May Day demonstrations. This came a day after the Interior Minister designated 40 areas for May Day celebrations, excluding Taksim Square.

Authorities deployed tens of thousands of police across the city, blocking off streets and public transportation to prevent protesters from gathering. In the Besiktas and Sisli districts, police detained dozens amid May Day who were shouting slogans like "Taksim cannot be banned."

The main opposition CHP party and labor unions had pressed the government to open Taksim Square for May Day rallies, but President Erdogan warned against any provocation. The CHP leader, accompanied by the Istanbul mayor and labor unions, gathered in the Sarachane neighborhood and vowed to keep fighting until Taksim Square is free for protests. In 2023, Turkey's top court ruled that the closure of Taksim Square for protests was a violation of rights.

Why this matters: The clashes at the May Day protest in Istanbul on May Day 2024 highlights the ongoing tensions over freedom of assembly in Turkey. Taksim Square holds symbolic significance for the Turkish working class, and the government's ban on demonstrations there is seen as a challenge to their rights.

The Istanbul Governor's Office declared a de facto state of emergency on May 1, closing Taksim Square to May Day celebrations on the orders of President Erdoğan's government. Measures were taken to paralyze the center of Istanbul, including restricting public transport, closing roads, and removing potential projectiles from the streets. The Socialist Equality Group strongly opposed what they called an arbitrary government attack on the democratic right to assemble and demonstrate.

Key Takeaways

• Istanbul police used force to disperse May Day protesters in Taksim Square.
• Authorities banned May Day demonstrations at the symbolic Taksim Square location.
• Thousands of protesters, including unions and leftist groups, defied the ban.
• Dozens of protesters were detained amid clashes with police in Istanbul.
• The government's actions were criticized as an attack on the right to assemble.