Turkish police clash with May Day protesters in Istanbul

Published time: May 01, 2014 09:06
Edited time: May 01, 2014 11:41

A protester uses a slingshot while others take cover during a May Day demonstration in Istanbul May 1, 2014 (Reuters / Umit Bektas)

A massive police operation has cracked down on May Day protests in the Turkish city of Istanbul. Riot officers have blocked off the city’s iconic Taksim Square and have deployed tear gas and water cannon against crowds of demonstrators.
Defying a ban on May Day protests, hundreds of protesters clashed with police in the Besiktas neighborhood of Istanbul. Some activists threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks at police officers, who retaliated with rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon.
“I have already seen a few people injured,” said RT correspondent Sara Firth, who was caught in tear gas and water cannon fire whilst trying to film on the streets of Istanbul. “It shows no signs of letting up at the moment.”