May Day honored in Turkey

Across the country today, rallies and festivals are being held to commemorate Labor and Solidarity Day, commonly known as International Workers Day on May 1.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and Labor and Social Security Minister Süleyman Soylu commemorated the day with special messages.

Thousands of members of several labor and worker unions have gathered in the main squares in cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Çanakkale and Sakarya.

Istanbul's Bakırköy square is the main venue of the city's May Day celebration. Taksim Square, the traditional venue of the event, is closed to this event.

The celebration in Istanbul is led by the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK) as thousands of people entered the rally area after being subjected to high level security searches.

Security measures are being taken at a high level, with some streets near the meeting area closed to vehicles. Thousands of police are stationed around the square, including TOMA - anti-riot water cannon vehicles - and riot police.

Officials from DİSK approved the May Day celebration in Istanbul's Bakırköy square. A group of labor representatives will hold a short ceremony in Taksim, hanging a wreath in the square. Other labor unions are also celebrating the day in Ankara, Çanakkale, Sakarya, Bursa and other cities across Turkey.