The Democratic Institutions Platform held a press conference at the Amed Provincial Organization of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) regarding the march to be staged from Amed (tr. Diyarbakır) to the Turkish capital Ankara on October 1 under the slogan “We walk to freedom with hope.”
250 women to lead the protest march
Ahmet Doğan, Co-Chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Provincial Organization, stated that 250 women would march on October 1 to demand the freedom of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. Doğan said that they would continue their actions, escalating them until Öcalan is freed.
“The freedom of the Kurdish People’s Leader also means the freedom of women and other peoples,” he underlined.
Demonstration to pass through seven cities
DBP Provincial Organization Co-Chair Ruçem Vefa Elyakut stated that the march will pass through seven cities in seven stages, including Urfa, Antep, Adana, Mersin, and finally Ankara, where the protest will conclude with a press conference during a parliamentary group meeting.
Elyakut said that the demonstration is intended not only to demand Öcalan’s release, but also to send a signal for a democratic, peaceful reorganization in Turkey. “This initiative is an expression of resistance against the patriarchal system and the isolation regime on the prison island of Imrali,” said Elyakut. The action is seen as part of a broader social struggle for equality and freedom.
“Every woman is a step—every step is resistance”
“This struggle, spearheaded by women, is a cry against the patriarchal system and isolation at every step. It is a march where women will say, “Enough is enough.” In this context, our appeal to all women and all peoples is as follows: Every woman is a step, every step is resistance, and every resistance is hope. Let us take our place in this march of hope. Let us walk together and raise our voices for the freedom of the Kurdish people’s leader, Mr. Öcalan, and the freedom of all peoples of the world,” Elyakut emphasized.