Besir Atalay told a press conference in Ankara Wednesday that all efforts would be made to prevent any unauthorized rallies taking place in Taksim Square on May 1.
“Taksim Square is not a spot for rallies or demonstrations,” he said.
“There are four designated places for such events and Taksim is not one of them. No tolerance will be shown on this matter.”
The state has banned May Day rallies in Taksim since 1977, when unknown gunmen opened fire on the crowd gathered in the square, killing 37 people and wounding dozens of others.
However, Turkey’s three largest trade unions issued a statement later Wednesday saying they would defy the government ban on holding May Day celebrations in Taksim.
