Mac Urata Photography © 2010 – 13 All rights reserved.m.urata@btinternet.com
Posts Tagged ‘Turkey’
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 [...]
2010 through my picts & a happy new year!
As I celebrate the New Year peacefully with my family, two people that I met in my life are jailed with trumped-up charges. One is Mansour Osanloo, whom I spent ten days together in 2007. The other shall remain anonymous for security reasons. In 2010, I lost several friends and colleagues yet again. One was [...]
How my ‘teach-in’ started in Mersin
“Tell us about the history of your organisation, then?” said Esin. I had a few hours before my departure. Our rally was over and she said we could visit some places in the city. I said, “no thanks”. It was OK for me just to hang around at the picket-line in front of the Mersin [...]
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 [...]
