TURKEY: Turkish workers flock to the streets for May Day, with minor scuffles erupting between police and protesters
Record ID:
862291
TURKEY: Turkish workers flock to the streets for May Day, with minor scuffles erupting between police and protesters
- Title: TURKEY: Turkish workers flock to the streets for May Day, with minor scuffles erupting between police and protesters
- Date: 2nd May 2012
- Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (MAY 1, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATORS JOSTLING THROUGH THE POLICE BARRICADE VARIOUS OF RIOT POLICE SPRAYING PEPPER SPRAY VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATORS AND POLICE PUSHING EACH OTHER
- Embargoed: 17th May 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Turkey
- City:
- Country: Turkey
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA9IMDS05DKJLIYOQ0L9RB6HD61
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Thousands of Turkish workers thronged a central Istanbul square on Tuesday (May 1) for May Day celebrations, as groups from six union confederations and political parties poured into Taksim Square, singing and chanting slogans such as "long live May Day".
The protest was mostly peaceful as demonstrators gathered waving flags and dancing to music however several demonstrators attempted to attack a bank.
Taksim Square had been closed to workers' demonstrations until 2010 after 37 people died in a shooting by an unknown gunman or were trampled to death on May Day in 1977.
In the Turkish capital of Ankara minor scuffles broke out as demonstrators jostled each other and clashed with riot police as they tried to pass the security barricade. Police used pepper spray to disperse the protesters.
Turkey's government had declared May Day, traditionally marked across Europe and beyond by rallies by labour unions, a public holiday under pressure from the unions.
Almost one in three young people in Turkey is without a job and the government fears social unrest and increased ethnic tension because of the downturn. The traditionally weak labour unions have become increasingly vocal. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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