Turkey鈥檚 government, facing a continuing wave of public protest, which began when the authorities brutally repressed a May Day rally at Taksim Square, must end the confrontation with its own people, and release detained trade unionists, the said.
ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said: 鈥淭he anti-union actions of the Turkish government are now spreading into a general confrontation with people who simply want the government to listen and cease repressing legitimate dissent. Prime Minister Erdogan should release the many trade unionists, journalists and others the government is holding in detention for no good reason, and open up to dialogue.鈥
National trade union centres KESK and DISK have launched a general strike in response to the government鈥檚 repression. There are on manufactured charges under anti-terrorism laws
DISK has joined with the ITUC in to press for the release of those arrested and the lifting of all bans on meetings and demonstrations.
The DISK's K谋vanc Eliac谋k said in : 鈥淸The DISK] protests the construction work in Taksim Square, Istanbul, that will demolish the park there, replacing it with a shopping centre.
鈥淲hen I heard that bulldozers came and cut the trees in the park on Tuesday, I ran to the park. Instead of shutting down the illegal construction 鈥 the court revoked the construction project 鈥 the police used tear gas against people who want to save the trees.
鈥淥n that first night, we took tents and sleeping bags and went to the park. We sang and chatted till dawn. In the evening, thousands of people were gathered. A concert took place on a stage.
鈥淲e were discussing urban regeneration, environmental destruction, human rights and workers鈥 rights. The highlight of all these discussions was that they are all the result of government policies. An ever-changing and growing committee was established.鈥
Eliac谋k explained: 鈥淧eople from various views came together: people and workers on strike from regions that have been harmed by corporate and government greed; football fans; radical left parties; student organisations; feminists; anarchists; and vegans ...
鈥淭he government鈥檚 new alcohol regulations [prohibiting the sale of alcohol in shops between 22.00 and 06.00, and stopping new bars from opening within 100 metres of schools and mosques] converted drinking to a political action. People were chanting slogans, on the other hand they were singing songs, and drinking ...
鈥淭housands of women and men who have not participated in a political demonstration before clashed with the police till late at night. The entered a new demonstration without event having breakfast. With their home-made gas masks they revolted against the police sometimes by singing, sometimes by swearing ...
鈥淭here were people from Muslim associations and socialist parties -- everyone standing shoulder to shoulder.鈥
Eliac谋k said: 鈥淔or the past five days, a growing number of demonstrators are having fun and demonstrating at the same time without sleeping or resting. The most common slogan chanted by the protestors is 'Resign Government!'
鈥淧olice violence is not driving us away. Fear has been defeated now. We have learned to raise our voice when we are angry.鈥
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