CHP leader Özgür Özel: "The Taksim ban must be lifted on May 1st, we will all be in the square together next year"

Republican People's Party Chairman Özgür Özel made statements at the May 1st celebrations held in Kadıköy, Istanbul. Emphasizing the significance of meeting with workers in the same square, Özel addressed journalists, saying, "You are doing your jobs with great sacrifice even on an official holiday. I sincerely celebrate all of your May 1st."

Meeting with representatives of DİSK, KESK, TMMOB, and the Turkish Medical Association at the event held in Kadıköy Square, Özel recalled the celebrations of various unions and professional organizations, stating, "Türk-İş is holding its celebrations in Edirne, and Hak-İş in Bursa. We salute the Turkish working class as a whole. Our wish is to celebrate May 1st in Kadıköy for the last time this year."

EMPHASIS ON MAY 1ST IN TAKSIM

Özgür Özel continued his speech by drawing attention to the significance of next year:

“We just had a brief meeting with the chairmen of political parties and leaders of labor organizations. Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the bloody May 1st. It is essential that Taksim be reopened to workers. Even if the government does not change by next year, we are declaring our determination to be in that square on May 1st starting from today. Next May 1st, on the 50th anniversary of Taksim, we will all be in the square together.”

Directing criticism at the Justice and Development Party, Özel said, "They used to boast about declaring May 1st an official holiday in 2010, and celebrations were free in Taksim. However, this freedom lasted only two years. Today, May 1st is still experienced by workers as a day of struggle. During our term in power, May 1st will truly be a holiday; workers will have the wages they deserve, trade union rights, and the opportunity to celebrate in free squares," he said.

"HOPE FOR A NEW ERA FOR WORKERS"

Özel concluded his words with the following statements:

“We have expressed our determination before, and I would like to emphasize again that we believe we will get rid of the current government, which stands against workers and laborers and does not remove the obstacles to organizing, as soon as possible. I hope that we are experiencing the last May 1st where both the CHP and the workers are in opposition. Despite all the difficulties, pressures, and attacks, we will never give up the struggle. Freer and fairer days are near for the workers of our country. I celebrate May 1st for all workers in Turkey; I hope to meet in much better environments next year.”