Istanbul square hosts first May Day demo since 70s

Women chant slogans during a May Day rally in central Istanbul May 1, 2010. More than 100,000 Turkish workers thronged a central Istanbul square on Saturday for May Day celebrations, held there for the first time since the late 1970s, when unknown gunmen massacred dozens of people.

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - More than 100,000 Turkish workers thronged a central Istanbul square on Saturday for May Day celebrations, held there for the first time since the late 1970s, when unknown gunmen massacred dozens of people.

Groups from six union confederations and political parties poured into Taksim Square, singing and chanting slogans such as "long live May Day". The crowds waved red-and-white Turkish flags and party banners.

More than 20,000 police maintained tight security at the meeting, which started peacefully with many of those gathered dancing to the music of drums and pipes.

One union confederation leader was the target of protests from within the crowd as he tried to make a speech and officials removed him from the meeting area to a nearby building amid scuffles, television channels reported.

In 1977, 37 people were killed during May Day celebrations in the square when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a crowd of thousands. More than 100 people were injured.

The last mass May Day meeting in the square was held the following year before the celebrations were outlawed until this year.

Union leaders on Saturday tossed dozens of red carnations at the spot on the square where the victims were shot dead. A concert was to be held after the union leader speeches.

The ruling AK Party has declared May Day a public holiday and a delegation from the party was to attend the celebrations.

(Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Matthew Jones)