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CHP Leader Slams Gov't For Closing Taksim To May 1 Celebration

23.04.2014 12:18

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu strongly criticized Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling party for not allowing groups including leftist unions to celebrate May Day in İstanbul's iconic Taksim Square.The heart of the May 1 celebrations has traditionally been İstanbul's busiest square, Taksim, which until 2009, was off limits to demonstrators following May Day 1977, also known as Bloody May Day, when 34 people were killed after unknown assailants opened fire on the crowd. Since then, May Day in Turkey has always been a source of tension. Thousands of police were stationed in several locations on Wednesday to block access to the square.Speaking at his party's parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, Kılıçdaroğlu reminded Erdoğan that in 2009, his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government decided to declare May Day an official holiday and opened Taksim Square up for celebrations. About three decades after Bloody May Day, un

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu strongly criticized Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling party for not allowing groups including leftist unions to celebrate May Day in İstanbul's iconic Taksim Square.

The heart of the May 1 celebrations has traditionally been İstanbul's busiest square, Taksim, which until 2009, was off limits to demonstrators following May Day 1977, also known as Bloody May Day, when 34 people were killed after unknown assailants opened fire on the crowd. Since then, May Day in Turkey has always been a source of tension. Thousands of police were stationed in several locations on Wednesday to block access to the square.

Speaking at his party's parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, Kılıçdaroğlu reminded Erdoğan that in 2009, his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government decided to declare May Day an official holiday and opened Taksim Square up for celebrations. About three decades after Bloody May Day, under tight security, Taksim Square became the venue of peaceful celebrations aside from a few minor incidents in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Yet, Turkey returned to the same debates on Taksim for this year's May 1.

Kılıçdaroğlu asked Erdoğan on what grounds his government is closing Taksim to the May 1 celebrations.

“Following the [Taksim] ban, workers went to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and it ruled that ‘May 1 celebrations can be held at Taksim Square.' An international court has given permission for access to Taksim. Why are you closing it for? Why should there be clashes? There were no incidents in 2010 and there wouldn't be clashes [if it gets opened again]. Let people to celebrate wherever they want. No one has the intention to fight, but if you oppress them there will be a fight. Everyone should be careful,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

Speaking two hours before CHP leader, Erdoğan said Turkish people do not want to see Molotov cocktails and battles in streets, accusing leftist groups of exploiting rallies.

Erdoğan said his government designated certain areas eligible for public rallies, and any persistent push for Taksim, according to him, cannot be reconciled with goodwill or good intentions. The Turkish prime minister went on to say that it was his government that, after 30 years of denial out of security concerns, allowed groups to celebrate May 1 in Taksim Square, not the main opposition CHP and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

"Let me say this. We designated May 1 as a national holiday and Labor Day. We opened Taksim Square for celebrations," Erdoğan said, lamenting that the opportunity was misused in later years by extremist groups.

"There is a large area in Yenikapı for public rally. There are other designated areas. After all this, I consider any push for Taksim to be ill-intentioned and unconstructive."

The issue has become a contentious one as Erdoğan's government adamantly opposes any request to hold May 1 celebrations in the landmark square, citing security concerns.

Dozens of protesters were killed at a May 1, 1977 celebration when unidentified gunmen opened fire on crowds, prompting tens of thousands people to escape en masse and triggering a deadly stampede.

The fatal incident led subsequent governments to deny access to Taksim Square for other political demonstrations for over 30 years.

SHOTLIST
TURKEY, ANKARA, 22 APR 2014

VAR Kılıçdaroğlu's speech

DUARTION: 02:03



 
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