After visiting the grave of an old friend who was killed in 01.May.1976, participated in the celebration of May 1st at Taksim Square. Musical groups and artists read poems on the platform at the Square and several march songs were played.
The Taksim had been kept closed for May Day celebrations and such mass gatherings since 1977. The ban had come after a horrific armed assault on thousands of workers in 1977, and left scores dead at the same square. 37 people were killed after suspected ultranationalist snipers opened fire on the crowds, causing panic and a stampede, back on May 1, 1977. Nobody has ever been brought to justice for the incident.
In the previous years before that change, unionists trying to hold rallies at Taksim square in defiance of the ban were repulsed by police action that injured dozens and saw hundreds detained.
The government's decision reopen the Taksim square for May Day celebrations came after parliament reinstated the day as a national holiday in 2009.

I photographed the events of those days as a witness. You can reach those archive photos by using the following links:

For 1976 celebrations >>> http://www.cetinbostanoglu.com/may76/01may76.htm

For 1977 celebrations >>> http://www.cetinbostanoglu.com/may77/01may77.htm

For 2010 celebrations >>> http://www.cetinbostanoglu.com/may2010/may2010.htm