May Day protests hit by tear gas
Following the governor’s statement on the ban of Taksim Square for May Day demonstrations, Istanbul police restricted the access of main avenues and other side streets in Besiktas, Sisli and Taksim districts with barricades.
The restrictions included halting public transport towards Taksim Square which affected local businesses, leaving their shutters down in Taksim Square.
On the other hand, several clashes were reported as demonstrators initiated to reach Taksim Square to celebrate the May Day.
Unions, including the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK) and the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions (KESK), have marched to Taksim to defy the ban and break the police barricades. They say the government’s measures are incompatible with previous rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ensuring freedom of assembly.
Besides Istanbul, May Day demonstrations are planned by activists in more than 30 provinces of Turkey, including the capital Ankara.
Please see updates from news portals…
Turkey May Day protests hit by tear gas near Taksim Square
BBC
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27234646
Tear gas used on Turkey May Day protesters
BBC
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27235662
Police use water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets in Istanbul’s tense May Day
Hürriyet DailyNews
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/live-police-use-water-cannons-tear-gas-and-rubber-bullets-in-istanbuls-tense-may-day.aspx?pageID=238&nID=65820&NewsCatID=339
Siege, Tear Gas, Clashes: May Day in Istanbul
BiA
http://bianet.org/english/crisis/155362-siege-tear-gas-clashes-may-day-in-istanbul
