The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) has called for the opening of Istanbul’s symbolic Taksim Square to workers and social opposition for the upcoming May 1. Party representatives also criticized the social situation in Turkey as well as restrictions on political assembly spaces.
At a press conference held at the party headquarters in Ankara, Sevtap Akdağ Karahanlı, deputy co-chair of the Labor Commission, stated that millions of people suffer from increasing poverty, insecurity, and lack of prospects. “We are entering this May 1 at a time when millions are demanding bread, peace, and justice,” she said.
Social crisis and growing poverty
Karahanlı pointed to the country’s economic situation and spoke of an increasing deepening of social inequality. She stated that the minimum wage has fallen below the poverty line for the first time, while rising living costs are putting pressure on broad segments of the population. “Millions of retirees are struggling to survive on around 20,000 lira. One in four young people is unemployed, and one in three children lives in poverty,” she stated. At the same time, she added, people with disabilities are largely excluded from the labor market. Against this backdrop, Karahanlı emphasized the need to intensify social struggles. “We will expand the struggle in all areas against those who enrich themselves through our labor,” the politician said.
War and exploitation
Karahanlı also drew a connection between regional conflicts and social conditions. Remarking that wars in the Middle East have direct impacts on people’s living conditions, she said: “Where there is war, the exploitation of labor increases, rights are restricted, and the future of societies is destroyed. Therefore, the struggle for peace is inseparable from the struggle for social rights,” she said.
A central point of the press conference was the demand to open central squares for May 1 celebrations. Taksim Square has long been a politically contested site for workers’ movements.
Mobilization to begin on April 12
Mehmet Bozgeyik, co-spokesperson of the Labor Commission, announced that the DEM Party will begin mobilization efforts on April 12 to make demands for social rights and democratic participation visible nationwide. In addition, political issues such as the peace process will also play a central role, he added. “Under current conditions, May 1 will be understood not only as a day of labor struggle, but also as an expression of resistance against social inequality and political restrictions.” Bozgeyik also criticized restrictions on public spaces for political gatherings, saying: “We demand an end to the Taksim ban and the opening of all squares to workers and social opposition.”
Constitutional Court declares ban unlawful
At the end of 2023, the Constitutional Court ruled that a ban on demonstrations at Taksim Square violates the right to peaceful assembly. The ruling stated: “Taksim is a component of trade union culture and reflects the existence of the collective memory of the working people. In this sense, every person who considers themselves part of this culture has the right to be there on May 1, to directly experience the meaning expressed by Taksim Square and to pass on the accumulated experience to future generations.” However, this ruling has not prevented the authorities from continuing to order unlawful police measures and to block protests at Taksim Square.
The Taksim Square Massacre of 1977
Taksim Square is considered a central symbol of the workers’ movement in Turkey—largely due to the massacre of May 1, 1977. At that time, more than 500,000 people gathered for a demonstration organized by the trade union confederation DISK. Even before a large portion of participants could reach the square, snipers opened fire on the crowd. In the ensuing panic, security forces intervened with armored vehicles, tear gas, and water cannons. People were pushed into bottlenecks, some were run over, and others died in the crush. According to official figures, 34 people were killed and around 200 injured, while leftist organizations estimate at least 37 fatalities. More than 500 people were detained. The background of the massacre has not been fully clarified to this day. Structures of the so-called counter-guerrilla, including connections to the NATO organization “Gladio,” are repeatedly cited as possible perpetrators.
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