Mac Urata Photography © 2010 – 13 All rights reserved.m.urata@btinternet.com
Posts Tagged ‘Istanbul’
One step forward, two steps back
In 2008, repression towards the May Day demonstrators in Istanbul was far too excessive. Riot police attacked protesters with batons and fired pepper spray and water cannon at them as they demanded reopening of Taksim Square. This historic site has been banned from labour events before, during and after the military coup of 1980. I [...]
Workers of the world, unite
400,000 people poured into the Taksim Square in central Istanbul for the May Day celebration. The top photo captures that massive gathering well. Unfortunately, however, I did not take that picture. I had no clue that you could access to the Taksim Hill Hotel which faces the Square but if I have another opportunity there, [...]
Sitting on the fence (not!)
“Wow, things have really taken a step forward in Turkey”. This was the comment by my friend Jeff who saw my photos of May Day this year in Istanbul (see below). He and I were there in 2009 when a small number of unionists could enter the Taksim Square. It has been closed on May [...]
Istanbul – Almost midnight
It was one pleasant evening in early July. After a busy day at the European Social Forum, including a long march that I joined, I went to dinner with my Norwegian friends. We wondered ourselves deep into the back streets near Taksim Square. It was almost midnight when our session finished and we separated. The [...]
Taksim May Day
In 2009, a handful of trade unionists were allowed to enter Taksim Square in Istanbul on the International Workers’ Day for the first time in 32 years. I was with my colleagues from TUMTIS on that historic moment (left photo). The place has been banned from any May Day celebration after unidentified gunmen shot at [...]
