Labour organisations’ Mayday summons (30.04.2017)

The 34 citizens who were slaughtered in Taksim on 1 May 1977 were remembered at Kazancı Slope. General Chair of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions, Kani Beko, said in addressing the event, ‘For forty years, the fascist murderers have evaded apprehension and justice. Those worker brothers of ours who were slaughtered in 1977 are buried in the hearts of millions.’ The commemoration, organised at the behest of the Mayday Organisation Committee, was attended by Confederation of Public Workers' Unions Co-General Chair Lami Özgen, Turkish Medical Association Central Council Chair Raşit Tükel, Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects General Chair Emin Koramaz, Peoples' Democratic Congress Co-Spokesperson Onur Hamzaoğlu, HDP Deputy Co-General Chair Sezai Temelli, EMEP General Chair Selma Gürkan, ÖDP Chairship Council Member Alper Taş, ESP Istanbul Provincial Chair Pınar Türk, Peoples’ Houses General Chair Oya Ersoy and members of the Divriği Cultural Association. The group, which congregated in front of the Marmara Hotel, walked to Kazancı Slope. At the commemoration, which started with a stand in silence, the names of those who lost their lives were read one by one.

Mass Mayday

General Chair of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions, Kani Beko, said, ‘Despite all efforts, they have closed Taksim to workers again this year. Those who have forbidden Taksim to the workers will be buried alone like Kenan Evren.’ Beko, stating that they had to shriek from the rostrums thanks to the anti-democratic practices on Mayday, said, ‘Plans are afoot to usurp the severance pay of five million workers. Six million workers face the threat of becoming hired workers. We must stage a mass Mayday to counter this. Come out in opposition to the current ruling party’s oppression and let us fight side by side.’

Out in the open in every province

Confederation of Public Workers' Unions Co-General Chair Lami Özgen went on to state that Taksim was synonymous with Mayday and said, ‘We this country’s workers, toilers and the downtrodden are the creators of life. We will be out in the open in every province of Turkey, screaming our demands in opposition to poverty, exploitation and plunder and our demands for democracy and freedom.’ Turkish Medical Association Central Council Chair Raşit Tükel, pointing out that the 1977 slaughter was carried out to subdue social opposition, said, ‘Our greatest strength in opposition to slaughters is the accountability we will demand.’ Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects General Chair Emin Koramaz, ‘We will say ‘no’ to the wealth fund, inhuman working and living conditions, lack of security and the usurping of severance pay. We invite everyone who loves this country to come out into the open on Mayday.’ The group, leaving carnations in memory of the slaughtered on Kazancı Slope, walked along İstiklal Street handing out Mayday fliers. After having given support to the Saturday Mothers’ event, they commemorated Mehmet Akif Dalcı who was slaughtered on 1 May 1988 in Şişhane.

Commemoration in Kadıköy

The Mayday Organisation Committee also remembered Hasan Albayrak and his friends who were slaughtered in Kadıköy on 1 May 1996. The crowd assembled in front of Kadıköy Town Hall and walked holding carnations to the place where Albayrak was killed. General Secretary of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions, Arzu Çerkezoğlu, said, ‘The enemies of hope, the enemies of this country’s labour, whatever is human and values of all kinds that will transport this country to better days, slaughtered our friends.’