Taksim Square killings remembered on eve of May Day

ISTANBUL

A group of civil society organizations, consisting of 34 people, commemorated the 40th anniversary of a 1977 massacre that left 37 people dead and many others wounded during May Day celebrations, on a street opening onto Istanbul’s landmark Taksim Square. 

The group unfurled a banner written “We will not forget the May 1, 1977 massacre” on it and observed a minute’s silence to honor the dead. 

The gathering took place under the initiative of “78’liler Vakfı [Foundation]” on Kazancı Slope. The foundation’s head, Celahattin Can, said he was present in Taksim Square when the massacre occurred. 

The crowd later on left carnations for the dead on the Kazancı Slope.

Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said on April 24 that May Day celebrations would not be permitted in Istanbul’s Taksim Square despite demands for celebrations there by a number of Turkish trade union confederations and NGOs.

Soylu said May Day celebrations could only be celebrated at venues permitted by the Istanbul Governor’s Office. 

Trade unions, several NGOs and political parties and groups will hold a rally on May 1 at the public market site in front of the Bakırköy Courthouse.