News Center- In the morning at 6 am, police barriers were placed on all roads leading to Taksim Square and Istiklal Street to prevent people from celebrating May Day at the Taksim Square since the Istanbul Governor's Office banned celebrations in Taksim Square.

Despite the blockade, the members of the workers’ platforms and the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) began to march from Elmadağ to Taksim. Chanting slogans such as “Factories, fields, political power, everything will belong to workers”, “Taksim Square is the square for May Day” and “Long live May Day”. The police attacked the protesters and forcibly detained two protesters. At that time, another group of workers tried to march to Taksim Square; however, police attacked them and detained four.

 Meanwhile, the members of the Umut-Sen (Union of Hope) gathered in Beşiktaş to march to Taksim Square. Starting to march by chanting slogans such as “Long live our struggle at Taksim”, “Long live May Day” and “Taksim cannot be banned for workers”, the members of the Umut-Sen were subjected to police attack. At least 12 people were forcibly taken into custody by police.

The members of the Youth Committees held a march from Maçka Park to the Park of Poets to mark the International Workers’ Day. Chanting slogans such as “Revolt, Revolution, Freedom” and “Yek Gûlan (English: May Day)", the marchers tried to cross the police barricade. They were subjected to police attack and violence. At least 20 were taken into custody.

 Journalists battered

 Attacking groups trying to reach Taksim Square, police also targeted journalists. Journalists were battered by police while covering the march in Beşiktaş. Police attacked journalist Zeynep Kuray, dragging her to the ground by her hair. Although Zeynep Kuray told police that she was a journalist, police forcibly detained her.

Disk Basın İş: We started May Day with restrictions

Turkey's Press Workers Union (DİSK Basın-İş) issued a press statement about the attacks on journalists. “We started May Day with restrictions. Our member  Zeynep Kuray was detained while covering a march in Beşiktaş. Our members  Eylem Sultan Keleş and Gencer Keten were battered. We will keep struggling against the systematic attacks of the police on the press. Release the detained people!”