Why did Turkish police use tear gas and arrest protesters on May Day?

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Turkish Police Dispersed May Day Protesters with Tear Gas and Arrests

Turkish police deployed tear gas and made arrests during May Day demonstrations in Istanbul, citing concerns that certain groups intended to march to Taksim Square, which had been sealed off. Nearly 200 individuals were arrested in Istanbul, with police using riot-control vehicles and tear gas against crowds. The president of the Turkish Workers’ Party, Erkan Bas, was affected by pepper spray during the events.
Restrictions on Movement to Taksim Square

Two specific groups were targeted after indicating their intention to proceed to Taksim Square, a location that had been cordoned off by police. A union official, Basaran Aksu, was detained shortly after he publicly criticised the closure of the square, stating that it should not be inaccessible to workers.
Clashes in Mecidiyekoy and Besiktas Districts

In the Mecidiyekoy district, police employed tear gas against a crowd that included members of the Marxist party HKP. Demonstrators in the Besiktas neighbourhood also faced police intervention, which was described as violent, particularly when chants were raised.
Broader Context of Protests and Economic Conditions

The May Day demonstrations were organised by unions and civil society associations under the slogan "Bread. Peace. Freedom." This occurred amidst significant economic challenges, with official inflation figures around 30 percent, though independent estimates placed it closer to 40 percent. In Ankara, approximately 100 coal miners, who had recently ended a nine-day hunger strike over unpaid wages, joined the May Day march. Authorities had also issued arrest and search warrants for 62 individuals, identifying 46 of them, including journalists and trade unionists, as potentially posing a threat.

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Why did Turkish police use tear gas and arrest protesters on May Day?

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