Police Fire Tear Gas, Detain 570+ at Istanbul May Day Rallies

Turkish police fired tear gas and detained more than 570 demonstrators who attempted to march toward Taksim Square in Istanbul during May Day (International Workers' Day) celebrations. Authorities declared Taksim Square — historically the most significant venue for Turkish labor movement commemorations — off-limits for demonstrations, deploying riot police with water cannon vehicles (TOMAs). Union leader Basaran Aksu was detained after he publicly denounced the lockdown. Most detained protesters were later released. Nationwide, unions mobilized under the slogan 'Bread. Peace. Freedom' demanding wage increases, release of imprisoned trade unionists and political prisoners, and an end to what organizers called 'regime oppression.' Workers cited official inflation of 32% (with independent estimates near 40-53%) and worsening labor conditions. Similar police responses to May Day demonstrations have occurred annually since Erdoğan's government banned Taksim Square access in 2013. The 2026 crackdown drew particular attention amid the ongoing İmamoğlu trial and post-PKK ceasefire political tensions.