Turkish police have detained dozens of protesters who were trying to break down barricades in various Istanbul neighborhoods after authorities banned May Day rallies in the city's central Taksim Square, AFP reports.
Tens of thousands of police were deployed across Istanbul, blocking even small side streets with metal barriers in an attempt to prevent groups of protesters from gathering.
Authorities have banned rallies in Taksim Square since 2013, when demonstrations were held against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
In the Beşiktaş district, police detained at least 30 leftist protesters who shouted "Taksim cannot be banned," a journalist at the scene reported.
One protester was dragged on the ground by police and his group was detained.
Another 30 people were detained in the Sisli district.
Istanbul's main roads were closed to traffic and public transport, including ferries and metro trains, was suspended.
Turkey's main opposition party, the People's Republican Party (CHP), and trade unions had been urging the government to open the square to workers' rallies, but on 30 April Erdogan warned against provocations.
NRP leader Ozgur Ozel, accompanied by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and the trade unions, gathered in the Saracane district, where the city hall is located.
"We will continue to fight until Taksim is liberated," Ozel said.
In 2023, Turkey's top constitutional court ruled that closing Taksim Square to protests was a violation of citizens' rights. / BGNES
