Breaking News: Istanbul Governor's Office bans protests in 4 districts on May 1st! Permission granted for only 2 locations
According to the decision taken ahead of May 1st in Istanbul, a day-long protest ban will be in effect in Beyoğlu, Şişli, Fatih, and Beşiktaş; celebrations at Kadıköy Pier and Kartal Square have been authorized.
12punto
Measures taken by the Governor's Office ahead of the May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day in Istanbul have been announced. While protests and events are banned throughout the day in four districts, celebrations at two designated locations have been permitted.
DAY-LONG BAN IN 4 DISTRICTS
In a statement issued by the Istanbul Governor's Office, it was announced that a comprehensive ban will be in effect throughout May 1st in Beyoğlu, Şişli, Fatih, and Beşiktaş.
The statement included the following:
"In Beyoğlu, Şişli, Fatih, and Beşiktaş, all types of rallies, press statements, open-air meetings, protest marches, setting up tents, opening stands, sit-ins, signature campaigns, memorial ceremonies, and similar actions and events are prohibited between 00:01 and 23:59 on Friday, May 1, 2026, in accordance with the obligations arising from clauses (a) and (c) of Article 11 of the Provincial Administration Law No. 5442 and Articles 17 and 19 of the Law on Meetings and Demonstration Marches No. 2911."
APPROVAL FOR CELEBRATIONS IN KADIKÖY AND KARTAL
The Governor's Office stated that applications made for May 1st were evaluated and that events were permitted at certain locations:
"May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day will be celebrated with various events in Istanbul, as it is all over the world. In this context;
DİSK, KESK, TMMOB, and TTB have made an official application to our Governor's Office for Kadıköy Pier Square, and TKP for Kartal Square. As a result of our evaluations, the applications in question have been deemed appropriate and approved."
The program times were also shared in the statement:
"DİSK, KESK, TMMOB, and TTB will hold their celebration programs at Kadıköy Pier Square between 10:00 and 17:00,
and TKP will hold its program at Kartal Square between 12:00 and 19:00."
NO EVENTS OUTSIDE AUTHORIZED PROGRAMS
The Governor's Office emphasized that no events will be permitted outside the designated areas. The statement included the following:
"Across our province, no unauthorized demonstrations, marches, protests, or organizations other than the permitted rallies and celebrations will be allowed. All necessary measures in this regard will be taken by our relevant units, and we request our citizens to be sensitive regarding such provocative actions, demonstrations, and similar illegal activities."