Nearly 600 people were arrested as police tried to suppress the rally held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the "Bloody May Day" in 1977 when 34 people died.

"It is unacceptable that the police arrested trade unionists who were demonstrating peacefully", stated Peter Scherrer, General Secretary of the EMF. “This is a severe violation of democratic rules and practices recognized throughout the European Union, of which Turkey aspires to become a member.”

Police used tear gas and fired water cannons to stop the crowd marching to Taksim Square. Television crews were prevented from filming the event and public transport was paralysed when police sealed off main roads, closed underground stations and cancelled ferries.

Press 26/2007

The EMF is the representative body defending the interests of workers in the European metal industry. The EMF has a mandate for the external representation and coordination of the metalworkers' unions and a mandate to engage in bargaining at European level.

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Editor: Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary, Tel.: + 32 2 227 10 16