ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)
STORY: Scores of protesters in Turkey clashed with police on Thursday (May 1) as they headed to Istanbul's Taksim Square for May Day celebrations, despite authorities having denied requests by unions to mark the holiday at the iconic square.
Riot police fired tear gas and water cannon amid the security clampdown as protesters wearing hard hats and gas masks hurled stones.
Public transportation in Istanbul has been severely restricted to prevent groups from coming to Taksim Square for May Day demonstrations.
The Turkish government denied approval for celebrations at the Square for safety reasons and suggested the traditional gathering should take place at a special venue on the outskirts of Istanbul rather than the city centre.
Unions rejected the idea.
The authorities issued a similar ban last year, leading to thousands of anti-government protesters fighting with police as they tried to breach barricades around the h
