Labor Day: A question of violence and excessive security for Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey's most populated city, braces for another Labor Day on Friday, a cause of celebration for unions and a nuisance for everyone else, with clashes between rioters and police crippling daily life.

In a city of over 17 million people, it is a challenge to control rioting crowds exploiting celebrations, but the police response leaves many frustrated. Taksim Square at the heart of Istanbul is the most sought-after site for unions to hold rallies, but it is strictly off-limits on Friday for large crowds, hence, thousands of policemen will be deployed at the square and on the streets leading to it on the European side of the city. Security measures were already in place yesterday, with iron barricades placed all around the square. Turkish media has reported that more than 10,000 policemen will be stationed in the area to prevent groups from entering the square. Two stations of a key metro line near the square will be closed starting this morning and the metrobus, a popular means of transportation, will see several stations closed to prevent the travel of rioters. Although it is a national holiday, Labor Day will still affect those working in commercial districts near Taksim as streets in Beşiktaş, Şişli and other business districts will be closed down and reinforcements of police will be stationed there.

Fears of riots, justified as Labor Day celebrations, have seen clashes in the past years. Rioters sided with terrorist groups had exploited the event to engage in clashes with police. Hurling Molotov cocktails and stones, they have attacked police in several districts of Istanbul near Taksim. A new security bill passed by the Parliament two months ago may be a deterrent for rioters, as it brings harsh sentences for the use of Molotov cocktails, but repeated calls on social media by supporters of marginal groups trigger concerns.

Istanbul Governor Vasip Şahin told reporters yesterday that Taksim Square is already off-limits for large-scale rallies. The governorate had released a statement the previous day citing that the square, due to its location in a busy area was not appropriate for rallies.

Şahin said the governorate has already allowed eight areas for labor unions to hold their rallies on both sides of Istanbul. "Representatives of labor unions or other organizations may hold a symbolic commemoration ceremony and lay wreaths there, but other activities will not be allowed," the governor said. Taksim Square's significance for labor unions lies in a 1977 massacre at the square during a Labor Day celebration. Unknown gunmen opened fire on the crowd and killed 34 people. "I call on everyone to observe a peaceful Labor Day," Şahin said. He hoped that the tight security measures they have taken would not be needed Friday.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also called for a peaceful celebration of Labor Day. In his address to workers at an event in the capital Ankara, Davutoğlu said he called on "all my laborer brothers to mark the day in the air of a festival and wedding." He warned them not to fall into the trap of "marginal groups and provocateurs." Davutoğlu said May 1, 1977 was a "dark day." "On that day, provocateurs, those aiming to drive Turkey into chaos caused bloodshed and what followed was a divide among the sons and daughters of this country and eventually, the dark coup of 1980," he said. Davutoğlu called on unions to unite in commemoration of those killed in 1977 and pledged he would visit the square himself as soon as possible and leave clover plants at the site of the killings in memory of victims (as labor unions did)‎.

The prime minister said they would not compromise on security and public order Friday, and will not permit "those wanting conflict."

A history of Labor Day rallies in Turkey

Labor Day was marked in Turkey in 1912 for the first time and was legally recognized in 1923. However, massive rallies to mark the day were banned one year later. Small-scale celebrations were held until 1976. That year, the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), a left-wing labor union, staged a major rally at Taksim Square. In 1977, about 500,000 people attended the celebrations at the square. However, gunmen, whose identity remains unknown to this date, opened fire on the crowd from the room of a hotel overlooking the square. Thirty-four people were killed with 136 others injured, either by shooting or in the ensuing stampede. Celebrations were muted and sometimes banned in the following years, as political turmoil escalated and culminated in a military coup in 1980. No fatalities were reported in Labor Day celebrations until 1989. One person was killed when police opened fire on a worker joining the rallies. In 1996, three people were killed in clashes with police intervening in a Labor Day rally in Kadıköy, a district on Istanbul's Asian side. Taksim Square as a location for marches was banned for throughout much of the 1990s. In 2007, one person was killed and more than 100 injured in clashes between rioters and police near Taksim Square.

The government declared the day a national holiday in 2009, but the square remained closed to celebrations due to security concerns. In 2013, some labor unions and rioters managed to reach the square despite the police presence and engaged in a violent clash with police though no casualties occurred.