Turkish Police Clash with May Day Protesters

Turkish riot police on Friday fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse May Day protesters seeking to march to Istanbul's iconic Taksim Square to mark mass killings of workers there almost 40 years ago.

A total of 203 people were arrested, with 18 people and six police injured.

Turkish police tightened up security measures in the city from Thursday night to prevent the protesters from gathering in Taksim Square. More than 20,000 police have been deployed to the area.

Over 60 anti-riot water cannon vehicles have also been positioned around the main districts. All the roads leading to the square have been cordoned off by the police.

Despite the police lockdown, protesters started to gather in Istanbul's European side districts of Besiktas and Sisli from early in the morning. The crowds chanted anti-government slogans demanding the resignation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"We celebrate the Labor Day just like people in other counties, but the location of celebration must be Taksim Square," said Gulsum Kav, a protester.

Helicopters were also deployed to control the situation. Shops along the streets were closed and public transportation services were also stopped.

Protesters left the scene after nearly three hours and the clean up is currently underway.

In 1977, 34 workers were killed in May Day celebrations held in the Taksim Square when the police opened fire against the protesters. Since then, Turkey's workers unions and laborers insist on commemorating the killings in the square every year. More on: http://newscontent.cctv.com/NewJsp/ne...

Subscribe us on Youtube:    / @cctvvideonewsagency  
CCTV+ official website: http://newscontent.cctv.com/
LinkedIn:   / cctv-news-content  
Facebook:   / 756877521031964  
Twitter:   / newscontentplus