Kani Beko, the head of the largest trade union confederation on the left, DISK, said: “Turkey cannot be free if Taksim is not free. Turkey will not be a democratic country if the workers cannot celebrate May Day in Taksim”.
While workers have gathered in Beşiktaş and Şişli to march to Taksim, Kani Beko, the head of the biggest trade union confederation on the left, DISK, said: “Turkey cannot be free if Taksim is not free. Turkey will not be a democratic country if the workers cannot celebrate May Day in Taksim”.
Various workers’ organisations, political parties and groups have gathered in Beşiktaş and Şişli this morning to march to Taksim. Members of DISK, KESK, TTB, TMMOB, HDP, HDK, SODAP, DHF, ESP, SYKP, anarchists, feminists, ecologists, students, all gathered in Beşiktaş and Şişli, while police took intensive security measures.
Feminists are among the most lively group in the crowd, chanting slogans “Stop domestic work, let the world stop”, “Woman, Life, Freedom”. The crowd waits in Beşiktaş at the start of the march which will begin at 12:00, chanting slogans.
The head of the Revolutionary Workers’ Unions Confederation (DISK), Kani Beko, made a speech at Beşiktaş square, saying: “Turkey will not be free if Taksim is not free. Turkey will not be a democratic country if the workers cannot celebrate May Day in Taksim and commemorate those workers who were murdered in Taksim on 1 May 1977. We want to celebrate 1 May in Taksim in a festive atmosphere”.
