At a press conference held yesterday in Ankara, Kumlu talked about the general stance adopted by his confederation in relation to the important upcoming May 1 activities, noting that the Presidents' Council of Türk-İş had expressed the desire to see the May 1 celebrations occur in a festive atmosphere. Kumlu notes that the Türk-İş position on Taksim and the May 1 celebrations differs from the stances of other labor unions, saying: "We don't see the situation the same way. We don't have any intention of tying the May 1 celebrations to Taksim alone. If we don't do something in Taksim, we'll hold our celebrations in Kadıköy."Touching on the bloody May 1 celebrations that took place in 1977, during which 36 people were killed, Kumlu noted that that unfortunate incident has still not been fully illuminated in terms of details, such as who opened fire. Within this framework, Kumlu also asserted that celebrating peaceful May 1 activities in Taksim is necessary for Turkey to rid itself of the traumatic memories of the bloody May 1 celebrations more than 30 years ago. "We would like to see Taksim used. For as long as Taksim remains closed to these celebrations, the anger will remain. It is necessary to have May 1 celebrations in Turkey occur in Taksim. The government needs to open up Taksim to the laborers on this day," he said. Kumlu also noted that the declaration of May 1 as an official holiday was a step that would go a long way in terms of helping erase the traumatic memories, and that allowing Taksim to be used as a stage for celebrations would only strengthen this step.
Calling on the prime minister, Kumlu said: "We thank you for declaring May 1 a holiday. But it is also in your hands to see that on May 1, 2009, all the negative traces of the previous May 1 celebrations are erased and to see that Taksim becomes a festival arena on that date. Open up Taksim to these celebrations. Allow hundreds of thousands of people to come with their spouses and children, carrying carnations in their hands, to the celebrations in Taksim."
