DISK: We will be in Kadikoy on May Day, but Taksim remains our demand

DISK, KESK, TMMOB, and TTB have announced that this year’s May Day, the International Workers’ Day, will be celebrated in Kadikoy.

The joint statement was delivered at the Besiktas Pier Square by the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DISK), the Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions (KESK), the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), and the Turkish Medical Association (TTB).

The event was attended by the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) Co-Spokesperson Ali Kenanoglu, members of various unions, and a large crowd.

Arzu Cerkezoglu, Chairperson of DISK, emphasized that Taksim is a square of historical and legal significance which is now synonymous with May Day. She stated that, as in previous years, they had submitted an application to celebrate in Taksim, but the prohibitive stance of the authorities continues.

She said, “We have conveyed our determination to celebrate May Day in Taksim to the political power ruling this country. However, we have seen that this restrictive attitude remains in place. We are struggling for a country where no one is above the law.”

Cerkezoglu also added, “Kadikoy Square is one of the places where we have celebrated May Day in the past. This year, without stepping back from our demand for Taksim, we will stand together in Istanbul’s Kadikoy Square.”