Violent riots in Istanbul, Paris and Berlin on May 1st

Although locked up in the streets

In light of the massive increase in infections and deaths caused by the Coronavirus, all parts of the country in Turkey have been closed since Thursday. Until May 17, people are only allowed to leave their homes for reasons of force majeure; All shops for non-daily necessities are closed. According to the official Anatolia News Agency, the police had previously allowed representatives of unions and opposition politicians to meet in Taksim Square, wearing masks and banners, to make statements, accompanied by a heavy police presence, to lay a wreath.

In Ankara and other cities, police have prevented some journalists from filming the protests, Yol TV and the umbrella organization of left-wing trade unions, Disk, reported on Twitter. To contain the large number of coronavirus cases, the nationwide lockdown began in Turkey on Thursday. Until May 17, people are only allowed to go outside for compelling reasons such as shopping.

Taksim Square has hosted Labor Day demonstrations every year for decades. Violent clashes have been repeated there since 34 people were killed on Labor Day in 1977. At that time, snipers opened fire on a demonstration of about 500,000. To this day, it is unclear who the culprits were. The square has been closed to May Day rallies for years, and protesters defying the ban are repeatedly arrested.

The Paris police took action against left-wing extremists

In Paris, supporters of the extreme leftist “black bloc”, according to police, tried to prevent a protest march of the union through the French capital. 34 people were arrested. Protesters smashed bank branch windows, set garbage bins on fire, and threw projectiles at police officers. At least one police officer was injured.