In an interview with the Anatolia news agency on Wednesday, Güler discussed the reasons why they decided to allow demonstrations to take place this year in the famous public square, one of the most important centers of attraction for İstanbullites.
He said they granted labor unions the right to demonstrate “to avoid tension in the environment of freedom created by the democratic initiative and even to destroy certain taboos,” adding that he expects unions to prevent violent acts from occurring during the demonstrations. “This May Day, which I believe will be peacefully celebrated, will be a reference point for subsequent years and will also mark a new beginning,” Güler noted.
The İstanbul governor, however, drew attention to provocations that have plagued earlier demonstrations. “There are people willing to abuse the power of labor unions to make the demonstrations a focal point for illegal activities and protests,” he stated. Güler noted that demonstrators would be able to exercise their freedom of thought and expression and that they have taken precautions so that the events of May Day will not adversely affect daily life. Some 3,500 policemen from neighboring provinces are going to be brought to İstanbul for Saturday’s demonstrations.
After having met with the heads of some labor unions on Tuesday, Labor and Social Security Minister Ömer Dinçer said there was nothing to worry about during this year’s May Day demonstrations. “They [the unions] seem prepared [for Saturday],” he stated, adding that he would attend the celebrations if he was able to leave parliamentary meetings.
The president of the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers’ Unions (DİSK) also made comments reaffirming the union’s commitment to peaceful demonstrations on Saturday. “The security forces will certainly take precautions, and none of the demonstrators will come with a mask on his or her face that day. Those seeking to cover their faces do not have a place among us. We will not support them. We will denounce them. I believe no one has the right to use us for other purposes,” he said.
Governments have not allowed demonstrations to take place in Taksim Square for security reasons after 34 people died in the 1977 Taksim Square massacre. The assailants in the killings were never captured, and questions linger over the possibility that there were organized groups behind the bloody attack.
