Istanbul May Day Rally: Police Fire Tear Gas, Arrest Hundreds
Turkish police used tear gas and arrested hundreds of people during May Day demonstrations in Istanbul, where thousands gathered to protest. The protests, calling for "bread, peace, and freedom," were met with heavy police presence and blockades, particularly around Taksim Square.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 22:43
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Istanbul, 1st, comprehensive foreign report) Thousands of people across Turkey responded to May Day rallies today. Police in Istanbul, the largest city, fired tear gas at the demonstration site and arrested hundreds of people.
According to Agence France-Presse, at least 370 people were arrested in Istanbul, according to the Progressive Lawyers Association (CHD), a Turkish lawyers' group. AFP reporters observed police firing tear gas from riot control vehicles at the crowd.
Footage broadcast by Halk TV, a channel leaning towards the opposition, also showed Erkan Bas, chairman of the Workers' Party of Turkey, enveloped in pepper spray.
He stated: "Those in power have the opportunity to speak 365 days a year; at least one day should be given for workers to air their grievances."
Two groups in the European district of Istanbul announced their intention to gather at Taksim Square, drawing particular attention from the police. This Istanbul landmark, where anti-government protests have erupted many times in the past, was already blocked by police last night.
Union official Basaran Aksu was arrested immediately after publicly condemning the blockade of Taksim Square.
Every year on May Day, Turkish authorities deploy a large number of police and block off large areas around Taksim Square. Last year, protests shifted to the Kadikoy district, where over 400 people were arrested. The number of arrests this year seems to be comparable.
Unions and civil society groups initiated this year's May Day demonstrations, calling for "bread, peace, and freedom." The official inflation rate is 30%, but independent estimates suggest it is closer to 40%.
In Ankara, about 100 coal miners demanding unpaid wages joined the May Day march after ending a 9-day hunger strike, receiving a warm welcome from the public. The rally in the capital was mainly attended by young people; although large in scale, it was also closely monitored by the police.
Earlier this week, Turkish authorities issued arrest and search warrants for 62 people, identifying 46 of them, including journalists, union members, and opposition figures, as being at risk of "possible attacks." (Compiler: Ho Hung-ju) 1150501
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(Central News Agency, Istanbul, 1st, comprehensive foreign report) Thousands of people across Turkey responded to May Day rallies today. Police in Istanbul, the largest city, fired tear gas at the demonstration site and arrested hundreds of people.
According to Agence France-Presse, at least 370 people were arrested in Istanbul, according to the Progressive Lawyers Association (CHD), a Turkish lawyers' group. AFP reporters observed police firing tear gas from riot control vehicles at the crowd.
Footage broadcast by Halk TV, a channel leaning towards the opposition, also showed Erkan Bas, chairman of the Workers' Party of Turkey, enveloped in pepper spray.
He stated: "Those in power have the opportunity to speak 365 days a year; at least one day should be given for workers to air their grievances."
Two groups in the European district of Istanbul announced their intention to gather at Taksim Square, drawing particular attention from the police. This Istanbul landmark, where anti-government protests have erupted many times in the past, was already blocked by police last night.
Union official Basaran Aksu was arrested immediately after publicly condemning the blockade of Taksim Square.
Every year on May Day, Turkish authorities deploy a large number of police and block off large areas around Taksim Square. Last year, protests shifted to the Kadikoy district, where over 400 people were arrested. The number of arrests this year seems to be comparable.
Unions and civil society groups initiated this year's May Day demonstrations, calling for "bread, peace, and freedom." The official inflation rate is 30%, but independent estimates suggest it is closer to 40%.
In Ankara, about 100 coal miners demanding unpaid wages joined the May Day march after ending a 9-day hunger strike, receiving a warm welcome from the public. The rally in the capital was mainly attended by young people; although large in scale, it was also closely monitored by the police.
Earlier this week, Turkish authorities issued arrest and search warrants for 62 people, identifying 46 of them, including journalists, union members, and opposition figures, as being at risk of "possible attacks." (Compiler: Ho Hung-ju) 1150501
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.