Hundreds of arrests of demonstrators was proceeded by police Turkeyin the context of strict measures taken to avoid marches and demonstrations at Taksim Square in the flagship Square in Constantinople.
From the prefecture of her Constantinople announced that 384 arrests of demonstrators were madeand 52,656 police were mobilized. Some opposition media and organizations, however, are now raising that number up to 400, including nine lawyer. The arrests were mainly made in the areas of Metzidiguioi, Sisli and Besiktas, in Turkey.
Historically, Taksim Square remains in the collective memory of Turkish public opinion a symbol of May Day, as more than 34 protesters were killed in 1977, according to some sources 42.
From very early in the morning all the roads in the center of Constantinople, on the European side of the city, were excluded.
THE HIDDEN TRUTH
TURKISH POLICE CRACK DOWN ON MAY DAY PROTESTERS
May 1, 2025: In Istanbul, riot cops swarmed workers, activists, and opposition voices protesting the arrest of Mayor İmamoğlu and demanding labor rights.
Dragged into buses, silenced by force. This is… pic.twitter.com/cLrwmzxRSi
— The Watchman (@WatchmanHQ) May 1, 2025
Some roads have begun to open for traffic at noon, but most roads, especially those leading to Taksim Square, will remain closed until late at night on a large area throughout the center of Constantinople on the European side, as did the Metro Stations.
On the Asian side was excluded from Chalkidona (Cantikoi), where the central gathering of left -wing trade unions (workers) and Kesk (public workers) took place, leftist organizations and parties. In Kartalimi (Kartal) the gathering of pro-government trade unions were gathered under Turk-Is.
“In Istanbul, lawyers are blocked from seeing their detained clients. Arbitrary arrests, denial of legal access — this is not law enforcement, it’s authoritarian repression. The world must not stay silent. #Violenceinaxim #HumanRights” pic.twitter.com/aJXvYD9hja
– Hunter’s right arm (@hunterkolu) May 1, 2025
Constantinople Prefect Davut Gul said demonstrations were allowed in the districts of Chalkidona and Happy on the Asian coast.
These rallies were also the president of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Ozgur Ozel, who spoke of the government’s authoritarianism. “If squares like Takim are hostage, excluded, then there is authoritarianism in that country. Looking at Taxim Square today, the government’s insecurity seems to be, “Ozel said.