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Turkish police disperse May Day demonstrators
Crowds gathering for a May Day rally in Istanbul banned by authorities were dispersed forcefully by Turkish riot police armed with water cannons and tear gas, witnesses said.
- Agencies
- Published: 14:28 May 1, 2008
Istanbul: Crowds gathering for a May Day rally in Istanbul banned by authorities were dispersed forcefully by Turkish riot police armed with water cannons and tear gas, witnesses said.
Thousands of police stationed across the city centre held off demonstrators attempting to enter the main Taksim Square.
Three forefront trade unions had pledged to mobilise up to 500,000 people to defy the official ban but later abandoned plans to march to the square because of strong police resistance.
Some groups still attempted to reach it, holding sticks, bricks and rocks, with their faces covered with handkerchiefs.
Wearing gas masks, police broke up a crowd that had assembled in front of a labor union office. Protesters stormed into the building, which officers then blockaded, preventing them from leaving.
Police also fired tear gas and using clubs, beat some demonstrators who were trying to enter the square through different entrances.
Local new reports said at least 200 people were detained and 30 people were injured by noon (0900 GMT).
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