İstanbul May Day: Isolation protested, Gezi supported by masses

2022-05-01 17:42:45


	İSTANBUL - Millions filling the Maltepe Square for May Day protested the isolation on PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the war policies of Turkey and supported Gezi protests. The crowd gave the message that people will together change the fascist order.

	With the support of labor and democracy forces under the leadership of the Revolutionary Confederation of Workers' Unions (DISK), Confederation of Public Workers' Unions (KESK), Union of Turkish Chambers of Architects and Engineers (TMMOB), Turkish Dentists' Association (TDB) and Turkish Medical Association (TTB) The May Day for Unity, Solidarity and Struggle, held in Maltepe Square with the motto "We will win together", ended with the tunes of Kardeş Türküler Songs.

	 

	THE DEMANDS OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE

	 

	In the rally participated by tens of thousands of people young and old alike, the following banners were used by the following organisations:

	 

	Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK): "From Newroz to May Day, peoples and workers will win, fascism will lose."

	 

	Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP): “Ji bo Aşitîyê azadiya kede demokrasiye edalet” (Justice for peace, freedom, labour and democracy)", "To joint struggle against exploitation, war, plundering, poverty and pressures", "We are the ones who produce, we will be the ones who rule" 

	 

	HDP Youth Council: "It is time to break the chains, it is time to discriminate friends from foes"

	 

	Democratic Regions Party (DBP): “Em bi hev re li diji şer û îxanete tekoşine mezintir bikin” (Let's step up the struggle against war and betrayel)

	 

	United Struggle Forces (BMG): "We will have victory if we unite against hunger, exploitation and fascism" both in Turkish and Kurdish

	 

	TJA, HDP, HDK Women's Council: "We will change together against war, exploitation poverty. It it the time for women"

	 

	Peace Mothers Initiative: “Em li diji şer Aşitîyê diparezen” (We defend peace against war)

	 

	Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Association: "There can't be right in wrong. Long live May Day

	 

	İstanbul Medicak Association: "Labour is ours, the floor is ours to speak. Long live May Day"

	 

	Independent feminists: "We resist male domination and capitalism at home, on the street, at work"

	 

	KESK: "We march to strengthen hope and struggle against exploitation and lack of security"

	 

	SLOGAN ‘BÊ SEROK JİYAN NA BE’ IN MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS

	 

	The revolt against the one-man regime came to the fore in the speeches made at the rally and the joint statement of the organising institutions. While political prisoners were not forgotten, attention was drawn to imprisoned politician Aysel Tuğluk's health status. There was also a reaction to the aggravated isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan. The slogans “Bijî Serok Apo” and “Bê Serok Jiyan Na be” were frequently shouted at the celebration.

	 

	WE WILL CHANGE THE SYSTEM 

	 

	While the workers gave the message that they will fight together against precarity, exploitation, war, dismissals with the Decree-Laws, CODE-29, the policies of the government that protect the capitalists, the mentality that withdrew from the Istanbul Convention and fuels male violence, it was said, "We will change the system together."

	 

	SUPPORT FOR GEZİ PROTESTS

	 

	Another subject that came to the fore in the celebrations was the heavy prison sentences given to individuals at the trial against the Gezi Protests. The celebrations ended after the concert of Kardeş Türküler.