ISTANBUL, May 1 -- Turkish police on Friday fired tear gas and arrested dozens of people holding May Day demonstrations in Istanbul, as thousands rallied nationwide.

According to the CHD Lawyers Association, nearly 200 people were arrested in Istanbul, where police fired tear gas from riot-control vehicles into the crowd, AFP journalists observed.

Images aired on the opposition channel HALK TV also showed the president of the Turkish Workers' Party, Erkan Bas, engulfed in pepper spray.

"Those in power already speak 365 days a year, so let workers talk about the hardships they face at least one day a year," he said.

Two groups were specially singled out in the city's European side after signalling their intention to march to Taksim squ...