Turkish police clashed with protesters in Istanbul on May Day, arresting hundreds of people. The city was on high alert, with around 50,000 police officers deployed to prevent demonstrations.
Massive Police Presence
The authorities had shut down public transport and blocked roads leading to Taksim Square, a focal point for protests. Many protesters tried to reach the square, but were met with force by the police. Videos online showed protesters chanting slogans as they were dragged away by police.
At least 382 people were arrested on Thursday, with another 100 detained on Wednesday for planning to protest in Taksim Square. The arrests were made for “unauthorized assembly.”
Criticism from Human Rights Groups
Amnesty International has called on the Turkish government to lift the ban on protests in Taksim Square. The organization also urged authorities to respect people’s right to peaceful protest. The protests were part of global May Day demonstrations, where workers and activists rallied to highlight labor issues and other concerns.
The protests in Turkey were also a show of support for Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, who was recently arrested. He is a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the presidential election.