ISTANBUL – Trade unions and professional organizations held commemorations in Taksim and Şişhane squares for those killed on May Day in 1977 and 1989, calling for joint struggle.

 

The Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions (KESK), the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions (DİSK), the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), and the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) marked the victims of the May Day, 1977 massacre in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, as well as Mehmet Akif Dalcı, who was shot dead by police during May Day events in Şişhane Square in 1989.

 

At the commemoration held at Kazancı Hill in Taksim, participants unfurled a banner reading, “Let us unite and transform for labor rights, justice, peace and democracy.” Slogans including “Long live May Day” were chanted.

 

In speeches following the slogans, union representatives emphasized the importance of organized struggle and also referred to children who lost their lives in workplace homicide. They called for the establishment of independent oversight mechanisms.

 

After the speeches, carnations were laid at the site where people were killed at Kazancı Hill. The crowd then marched to Şişhane Square, chanting “Bijî 1 Gûlan/Long live May Day.”