Istanbul authorities have tightened security in the areas around the central Taksim Square to prevent unauthorized demonstrations for May Day there. Nearly 300 people have been detained for attempting to organize spontaneous protests unsanctioned by the authorities, the Association of Contemporary Lawyers reported.
According to it, at least 13 people, mostly young people, were detained by police in the Sisli district. Arrests were also made in the Besiktas district. According to human rights activists, five lawyers representing the association are among those detained, but this information has not been confirmed by the authorities.
The authorities in Istanbul have allowed unions to hold May Day demonstrations only in two districts on the Asian side of Istanbul - Kadıköy and Kartal. About 40,000 police are involved in providing security for the Labor and Solidarity Day, which is celebrated in Turkey on May 1, the Habert rk television channel reported. According to it, no serious incidents have been recorded so far. Several metro lines in the city have been partially closed since early morning, changes have been made to the operation of ground transport, ferry crossings, and almost all highways leading to Taksim Square, as well as Saracane Park, where the city hall is located, have been closed.
For many years, the authorities in Istanbul have not allowed mass demonstrations on May 1 in Taksim Square. An exception is being made for union representatives, who are given the opportunity to lay flowers at the "Republic" monument in the center of the square in memory of the more than 200 demonstrators who died there in 1977, and to make a statement to the press. Since Wednesday, the square has been fenced off with metal bars and police cordons have been set up. The increased security measures in the Taksim area have hit foreign tourists who need to return to the airport the hardest. To catch buses or taxis, they have to pass through a fenced area, sometimes several square kilometers long.
May Day demonstrations are also taking place in other cities in Turkey, including the capital Ankara, under increased security measures. The head of the republic's Ministry of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, announced that authorities have designated 127 open areas for demonstrations in 79 provinces.
