Turkish Police use pepper spray to disperse demonstrators during a May Day (Labour Day) rally, marking international Workers' Day, in Besiktas, a district of Istanbul, on May 1, 2026. Turkish police fired tear gas and arrested dozens of people holding May Day demonstrations in Istanbul, AFP journalists said. Two groups were specially singled out in the city's European side after signalling their intention to march to Taksim square -- the scene of several anti-government protests in the past -- which was sealed off overnight by police. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP via Getty Images)