Istanbul’s Governor Muammer Guler implements government’s decision not to allow labor unions to celebrate May Day in the city’s biggest square ‘Taksim’ by taking harsh security measures. Barriers are built already around Taksim square and all streets leading to it are barricaded to stop workers from getting there. Schools in three districts will be closed tomorrow, public transportation including ferries, busses and the metro will be suspended and traffic leading to Taksim will be shut down until tomorrow evening.
It is feared that these kinds of security measures and the presence of tens of thousands of policemen might spark the violence at tomorrow’s celebrations.
Source: Milliyet, Vatan, Hurriyet, Turkey, April 30, 2008
