May Day enthusiasm in Kadıköy: Thousands fill the square to voice their demands

Kadıköy hosted a flood of people from the early hours of the morning this year for International Workers' Day. Citizens arriving from all corners of the country marched in processions from Haydarpaşa and Söğütlüçeşme to meet at Kadıköy Rıhtım Square. While security measures were observed to be at the highest level in the area, those joining the processions passed through police checks at the entrance to the square.

The May Day program was organized under the leadership of the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), the Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions (KESK), the Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB), and the Turkish Medical Association (TTB). Numerous unions, democratic mass organizations, non-governmental organizations, and political party representatives attended the program. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncay Bakırhan also took their places at the event.

While an increase in traffic and pedestrian density was observed around Kadıköy starting from the morning hours, the processions advanced toward the square with shouted slogans and banners. Among the participants' demands, justice, democracy, secure employment, improvement of living conditions, judicial independence, and environmental protection stood out.

Visual richness drew attention during the May Day march. Workers in the processions carried signs reading "A humane life, dignified labor" and "Long live May 1st." When a citizen carried a poster of Ekrem İmamoğlu, an announcement of "Greetings to Ekrem İmamoğlu" rose from the crowd. Subsequently, the song "There is no salvation alone, either all together or none of us" was played, and the square was filled with the sounds of protests and anthems for a while.

Police conducted body and bag searches at the entrances to the square, but no negative incidents occurred. Members of the teachers' union in the procession expressed their protests with slogans of "Yusuf Tekin resign." Trade unionist Mehmet Türkmen, who was arrested in the previous period, was also not forgotten in the May Day procession; his name was mentioned on banners and in speeches.

Crowds consisting of different professional groups and fan groups also joined the processions, creating a colorful atmosphere in the square. Anthems, band performances, and traditional halay dances added movement to the celebrations.

In the later hours of the event, DİSK Chair Arzu Çerkezoğlu took the stage despite the heavy rain to address the crowd. Participants supported this speech with applause. The groups united in the square displayed a common solidarity against the economic crisis and social injustices. Ensuring trade union rights, achieving tax justice, ending the practice of appointing trustees, ending inequality and violence against women, and improving the living conditions of retirees and youth were also among the prominent demands.

While the celebrations were the scene of colorful images, Kadıköy Rıhtım Square once again demonstrated the spirit of unity and solidarity of May Day.