While Mayday is coming up, the struggle has started between the state and the unions on how and where Mayday will be celebrated. Like in the last years the unions have started to prepare themselves to celebrate Mayday at Taxim Square, Istanbul; the state, however, again banned Taxim Square to the working class.{divide}
Last year Mayday was tried to be celebrated by the unions and revolutionary forces at Taxim Square, and hundreds were injured as a result of the state banning the square and attacking people with gas bombs. After all these attacks, the unions made a statement last year declaring that they would celebrate Mayday 2009 again at Taxim Square.
Following the struggle to make Mayday become an official holiday in Turkey, the government made a step backwards and declared that this year it is trying to make Mayday become an official holiday. Workers and labourers in Turkey have had led a struggle for 30 years to make Mayday become again an official holiday.
The progressive forces among the working class and revolutionary forces announced to celebrate Mayday at Taxim Square. DISK declared to be determined to celebrate Mayday at Taxim.
KESK General Chairman Sami Evren said in a pres meeting on April 10 that no other place offered for the Mayday celebration would be accepted. Emphasizing the union's determination to celebrate Mayday at Taxim, he said: "We don't care about the decision of the political will dominating. We will be at Taxim on Mayday."
Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler made a statement saying that Mayday could not be celebrated at Taxim and that it must be celebrated at other places. Istanbul Governor who had hailed gas bombs on the people and workers of Istanbul shows the same fascist mentality this year.