Workers' Day Celebrated in Bakırköy

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People have gathered in the marketplace in Bakırköy district where labor and occupational organizations called them to celebrate May Day after the Governor of İstanbul banned celebrations on Taksim Square.

The groups who form corteges for the march have begun to gather at three different locations: the Marmara Forum Shopping Mall, Dikilitaş and around E-5 road.

The rally began around 1.10 p.m.

Celebrations in Bakırköy

13.10: Corteges began to enter the rally area through three routes.

14.15: Mayor of the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality Ekrem İmamoğlu, Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chairs Pervin Buldan and Sezai Temelli entered the area.

14.30: Making a speech at the rally, Mayor İmamoğlu offered condolences for those who were killed in the traffic accident in Urfa. "I wish that we will be together in the days we get what our and your labor deserve. I love all of you, happy May Day," he said.

14.40: The May 1 program began as the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) Chorus sang the May 1 March.

14.50: After the chorus, DİSK Chair Arzu Çerkezoğlu made a speech.

"The dynasty of those who closed the May 1 Square, Taksim Square to the workers will be collapse for sure. The working class will win Taksim as the May 1 area.

"What we call a homeland is not a homeland where one single person speaks and everyone applauds.

"Let's give a promise all together: Will we shoulder to shoulder re-establish our country that the oppressive regime devastated.

15.15: Confederation of Public Workers' Unions Co-Chair Aysun Gezen addressed the crowd.

"This economic model which made our country indebted, which is based on rentier is collapsing.

"They want to make our labor a benefit to the capital. We won't allow this.

15.30: Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Chair Emin Koramaz made a speech.

"Today is not the day of the media bosses who hold unlimited weddings for their children at the Çırağan [Palace], but the day of the journalists who give correct information to the people.

"Today is the day of our women who struggle for their rights. Today is the day of the small producers.

"Today is the day of the five workers who took to road to May a and lost their lives.

16.20: Music group Bulutsuzluk Özlemi took the stage.

16.40: Musician Nurcan Değirmenci took the stage. The rally was concluded after her concert.

(HA/EMK/EKN/VK)