Despite bans and a heavy police blockade, a delegation from the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DISK) laid a wreath at the Taksim Republic Monument to pay tribute to the workers killed in 1977 on May Day, International Workers' Day.

The delegation, which included DISK chairperson Arzu Çerkezoğlu and members of the executive board, gathered in front of the German Consulate and marched to Taksim Square, chanting slogans.

Accompanied by chants such as “Long Live May Day,” “No Salvation Alone—Either All Together or None of Us,” and “Trustees Will Go, We Will Stay,” the DİSK delegation reached the Republic Monument and laid a symbolic May Day wreath there.

Speaking briefly at the site, DISK Chairperson Arzu Çerkezoğlu said that Taksim is the rightful ground for May Day celebrations and emphasized their years-long struggle to reclaim Taksim for the workers. She said: “We will not be silent, and we will continue to fight to liberate our future in Taksim Square.”

Highlighting that Turkey has become a country of minimum wage earners and retirees forced to keep working, Çerkezoğlu called on the public to attend the May Day rally to be held in Kadıköy.