30,000 cops were deployed to prevent Mayday marchers from rallying at Taksim Square. Many hundreds have been arrested, and an unknown number injured, during the ensuing fracas. Although police stopped journalists from broadcasting in Taksim, some videos and photos are starting to show up online.
30,000 cops were deployed to prevent Mayday marchers from rallying at Taksim Square. Many hundreds have been arrested, and an unknown number injured, during the ensuing fracas. Although police stopped journalists from broadcasting in Taksim, some videos and photos are starting to show up online. Mayday has added significance in Turkey. In 1977, police (and/or military, or "unknown persons") opened fire on demonstrators in Taksim, killing at least 34 people. Mayday rallies have been forbidden in the square for three decades.
links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6610665.stm http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D19092A6-47E1-4E1A-BDD4-F8A4E080FBF3.htm http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/may/01/turkey.marktran
