The president of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions (DİSK), Kani Beko, and the president of Confederation of Public Laborer's Unions (KESK), Lami Özgen, responded to the statement by Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Güler who announced on Thursday that Taksim Square won't be allowed to for the rally to take place on Workers Day on 1 May.

Minister Güler said on Thursday that Taksim Square is not physically suitable for the celebration because of  the current pedestrianization project in the area.

Reminding of DISK's and other confederations' already declared decision to be at Taksim Square on May Day, Beko said "We will be at Taksim on May Day in memory of 36 comrades of us who were killed by fascist murderers on 1 May 1977 when 500 thousand workers joined the mass celebration at Taksim Square. The murders of our comrades still remain unsolved. DISK has been giving a determined struggle ever since for the disclosure and trial of their murderers. This is why Taksim is important to us".

Beko said DISK condemned Minister Güler's prohibition of Taksim Square and noted that the physical circumstances in the area didn't pose an obstacle to celebrations to take place this year.

KESK President Lami Özgen also condemned the prohibition which -he underlined- was part of the prohibitive policies of the government. Özgen underlined that "In any circumstances, we will be at Taksim Square which has a historical and political meaning to us". Özgen said they would hold talks with the Interior Ministry and Governorship of Istanbul in the coming days to come up with a solution to the issue.