Turkey's leading labor unions told a press conference on Friday they will celebrate May Day at Istanbul's Taksim Square. Earlier this week, the Turkish government refused requests to over turn the ban on May Day celebrations and declare an official holiday.
Turkey Labor Unions Confederation (Turk-Is), Labor Unions Confederation (DISK) and Confederation of Public Employees Labour Unions (KESK) told in a joint press conference they will hold May Day celebrations at Taksim Square on May 1, ANKA reported.
The unions will gather in three different provinces of Istanbul at 10 a.m. (0700 GMT) and then coordinate a walk to Taksim Square at 11 a.m. (0800 GMT).
Controversy over the May Day celebrations heightened this week in Turkey when Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said, "It will be mayhem when the feet start to manage the head," regarding the demands being made by unions for the Taksim celebrations. In Turkish, "feet" is also used to describe "mob." Turkish unions strongly reacted to the statement, saying, they were "saddened" and continue their determination to hold celebrations in Taksim.
Turkey banned May Day celebrations in Taksim Square after 36 people were killed on May 1, 1977; a date since referred to as the "Bloody May 1." This event is seen was a turning point in Turkish history and an important factor that paved the way for the military coup in 1980. A-still-unidentified armed man opened fire on some 1-million-people attending the celebrations. The clashes between left and right groups in the 1970s had brought Turkey to the brink of civil war.
Since Bloody May 1, Turkey canceled all celebrations and removed the national holiday from the Turkish calendar.
The Turkish government this week decided to celebrate May 1 as "Labor and Solidarity Day" and snubbed all requests to declare a national public holiday.
Photo: Hurriyet Archives |
