Dozens of individuals were arrested for allegedly calling for protests on May Day at Taksim Square in the center of Istanbul.

Since the Gezi Park protests in 2013, which began in Taksim Square, government protests have been banned in this area.

The arrested individuals are accused, among other charges, of belonging to leftist extremist organizations, as reported today by the Turkish news agency Anadolu.

According to the agency, 76 people have been arrested, and a total of 84 suspects are being sought.

In previous years, authorities have made numerous arrests, and clashes have occurred between police and protesters in relation to Labor Day demonstrations.

Taksim Square holds symbolic significance for trade unions and the opposition. Unions wanted to commemorate May Day in 1977 when snipers opened fire on a mass gathering of around 500,000 demonstrators, killing many people.