Turkish police officers arrest a protester attempting to defy a ban and march on Taksim Square to celebrate May Day on 1 May 2018 in Istanbul (AFP)
Turkish police arrested dozens of protesters on Tuesday as they attempted to mark May Day by marching through Istanbul's Taksim Square, despite a long-running ban on congregating there.
The square, which has historically been a gathering point for anti-government demonstrations, was entirely cordoned off by police.
The city's main shopping street, Istiklal Avenue, was also blocked off. According to Anadolu Agency, 52 protesters were arrested in total in Istanbul and taken to buses for questioning.
In spite of the restrictions, thousands took part in celebrations of May Day, also known as International Workers Day, across Turkey, while Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed the contribution of Turkish labourers in a speech.
“With no preconditions or prejudices, we have come together with all labour unions and civil society organisations whose real agenda is workers rights and benefits; we have had discussions and reached agreements," he said in a message issued on Sunday.
"We have taken care not to be one of those who instrumentalise workers and labourers on such a meaningful day as 1 May."
Despite his comments, the organisations taking part in the protests were overwhelmingly critical of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government and included a range of socialist, feminist, atheist, Islamic and football supporters' groups.
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"Erdoğan run, women are coming!"
Feminist women are also at the #MayDay celebrations in #Istanbul's Maltepe. #dokuz8/@gunahkarpapazpic.twitter.com/5G1qNbcflQ— dokuz8 NEWS (@dokuz8_EN) May 1, 2018
|The Istanbul district of Maltepe became the main venue for the officially sanctioned May Day gathering, which took on the appearance of an anti-AKP demonstration.
Among the groups represented were supporters of the opposition People's Democracy Party (HDP), the Turkish Labour Party (EMEP), the Confederation of Public Workers Union (KESK), the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey (DISK) and the left-wing Anticapitalist Muslims collective.
Anadolu reported that over 26,000 police were on duty in Istanbul, supported by three helicopters, 85 water cannon vehicles and 67 armoured vehicles.
#1M18
Anticapitalist Muslims have also held a press meeting in #Istanbul's Saraçhane Park, "whoever is holding the judicial power in hand, that is our respondent and our reaction is against that person."#dokuz8/@sonerrkarabulutpic.twitter.com/VQzioh67vx— dokuz8 NEWS (@dokuz8_EN) May 1, 2018
May Day celebrations also took place in the eastern city of Van, with both Turkish and Kurdish activists taking part:
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Laborers are celebrating the #May1 Labour & Solidarity Day with communal dances at #MusaAnter Park in the city of #Van. #dokuz8/@ozgurvanhaber1pic.twitter.com/DQ3DrWsxIg— dokuz8 NEWS (@dokuz8_EN) May 1, 2018
The gatherings come as the country prepares for snap presidential and parliamentary elections on 24 June.
Erdogan is set to seek a second term as head of state with increased parliamentary powers.
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