Detained on May 1st: 'We reject all squares other than Taksim'

The Lawyers' Voice Initiative (ASİ) announced that all 576 citizens who were detained, including 6 of its member lawyers, have been released.

On the other hand, the statement issued by ASİ included the words, "On this occasion, we emphasize once again in order to fulfill our legal responsibility; according to the decisions of the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights, the square for May 1st is Taksim Square."

While a young person attempting to walk to Taksim Square through Istanbul's Beşiktaş district was being subjected to reverse handcuffing by the police, ASİ member Attorney Kerim Bütün, who wanted to help him, was detained. The police told Attorney Bütün, "Go do your lawyering in court! Don't interfere here."

'THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT SAYS SO TOO'

Speaking to 12punto, ASİ member Attorney Kerim Bütün emphasized that Taksim Square is the square for May 1st, saying, "It is not just revolutionaries who say this, the Constitutional Court says it too." 

Regarding the police's attitude, he replied, "We were explaining this to the police chief who gave the order for our unlawful detention, along with my colleague Attorney Tanya Taş. Our reason for explaining this was not the hope that the police were unaware of this decision. We know very well that that road cannot be opened by the police, but by the people."

'WE WILL NOT TAKE A STEP BACK'

"Our goal was to show our people the differences and contradictions in the approach to Taksim among state apparatuses. And indeed, we showed them," said Attorney Bütün, stating his purpose. "Subsequently, reverse handcuffs began to be applied to my comrades and clients from the Workers' Students Union with whom we were walking to Taksim together. While trying to prevent this unlawful intervention, the two of us lawyers were detained together. We learned that on May 1st, our colleagues Attorney Halil Ağırgöl, Attorney Tacettin Çolak, Attorney Ayça Okur, Doğan Zafer Çıngı, and Attorney Kıvılcım Çolak were also unlawfully detained. We are revolutionary lawyers. No matter the result, we will not take a step back," he said.

'WE ARE JURISTS'

Stating that they will be in Taksim on May 1st, 2027, as well, Attorney Kerim Bütün explained the reason for this: "Since 1977, Taksim Square has been the square of the working class and May 1st. We are also struggling to liberate Taksim Square. We are jurists. We have to defend the rights of the people and stand by the demands of the working class. Otherwise, we would not be fulfilling the requirements of being a jurist. For this reason, we reject all squares other than Taksim."

News: Cenk BAŞBOĞAOĞLU

News Source: 12punto