Thousands gather in Istanbul for May Day demonstrationMay 1, 2011 - 16:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Tens of thousands filled Istanbul's Taksim Square on Sunday morning demanding jobs and better work conditions on May Day, also known as Labor Day. Taksim Square carries a significant symbolic importance in May Day celebrations. On May 1, 1977, 34 people were killed during a Labor Day gathering at the square when shots were fired into the crowd from a nearby building leading to an intervention by security forces and armored vehicles. Most of the casualties resulted from the panic caused by the intervention among hundreds of thousands of participants. When participants gathered in Taksim Square this Sunday, they commemorated those who lost their lives 34 years ago by leaving carnations at the location where the incident first started. After the 1977 incident, Taksim Square was closed to May Day celebrations, with unions only being allowed back into the square last year. Participants at this year's gathering were from labor unions as well as opposition parties. Pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) representatives also joined the celebration. Kurdish songs were played and announcements were made in Turkish and Kurdish at the square. People gathered to commemorate the day in other cities throughout Turkey, including Ankara, Sunday's Zaman reported. Thousands gather in Istanbul for May Day demonstration Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children Moscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said. Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19. Armenia, India hold first defense consultations The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan. |