Cyprus-Forum.com

[Tim Drayton]

May I, on the occasion of International Labour Day, extend my greetings to all of those who earn their living by the honest sweat of their brow.

My thoughts especially go to trade unionists and other progressive people in Istanbul, Turkey who are determined to defy a ban by the Islamofascist regime in that country and attempt to stage the traditional mayday rally in Taksim Square of that city. The regime has brought in massive police reinforcements from around the country and large numbers of riot police and riot control vehicles are in place to confront the unarmed and peaceful march towards the square. I hope that it passes off peacefully, but I have a sense of foreboding and cannot help but feel that innocent lives will be lost there today.

[Lordo]

happy labour day to all the workers in the world. like you tim, my thoughts are with you in istanbul and hope that this year it passes by without any loss of life.

[Tim Drayton]

Two people have already been arrested in Taksim for the hideous crime of displaying a placard. I wonder if a robbery is also taking place anywhere in Turkey at the moment?

[Tim Drayton]

There were five arrests at Anadolu Park in the Okmeydanı area of Istanbul at about 0900 today when police searched what they deemed to be a suspicious group and found these people to be in possession of gas masks and marbles.

[Tim Drayton]

1046
Marchers start to build barricades in Barbaros.

Sorry. That image won't display. Refer to 1046 in the blog below:

http://birgun.net/news/view/canli-blog- ... iyor/17381

[Lordo]

Two people have already been arrested in Taksim for the hideous crime of displaying a placard. I wonder if a robbery is also taking place anywhere in Turkey at the moment?

almost certain to be taking place by one of the ministers of akp.

[Tim Drayton]

Police shown at 0952 blocking the main thoroughfare through Şişli towards Taksim.

[Tim Drayton]

1118
Thirty people managed to enter Taksim Square by running out of a nearby hotel. Those who were unable to run away were arrested for the crime of being in a public square.

[Tim Drayton]

1030
The police are reported to be intervening against marchers in the Zincirlikuyu and Okmeydanı areas of Şişli.

[Tim Drayton]

The Istanbul Bar Association reports that 70 people have been arrested as of 1122.