Istanbul- Workers have gathered at Saraçhane Park to march to Taksim Square under the leadership of the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), the Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK), the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and the Turkish Dental Association (TDB).

Police have blocked all roads leading to Taksim Square with barriers.

Police use tear and rubber bullets

As tension between workers and police increased at Saraçhane Park, DİSK Chair Arzu Çerkezoğlu went there to defuse tension; however, police attacked the workers by using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the workers. Despite the police attack, the workers have gathered again and tried to break police barriers. According to the received reports, police detained some workers. The DİSK and the KESK reportedly gave up marching to Taksim Square for security reasons.

All roads are closed

All roads leading to Taksim Square have been closed since early morning. Turkish police do not even allow people to park their cars on the streets leading to the square and all garbage containers on the streets were removed. The parked vehicles in the parking lots in Taksim, Şişhane, Kabataş, Mecidiyeköy, Şişli, Saraçhane, Beşiktaş Square and Dolmabahçe were also removed.

Workers detained

In the morning, the members of the Socialist Women's Council (SKM), the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP), the Socialist Youth Associations Federation (SGDF), Alınteri and the Pollen Ecology Collective (Turkish: Polen Ekoloji Kolektifi,PEK) gathered in the Okmeydanı neighborhood of Şişli to celebrate May Day at Taksim Square; however, police attacked them and some of them were detained.

The members of the New Democratic Youth (YDG) gathered in front of the Oral and Dental Hospital in Okmerdanı and held a march to Taksim Square; however, police attacked them. The police attacks on workers continue.