The women’s movement Kongra Star organized a rally in in Qamishlo on Thursday under the slogan “Leader Öcalan’s Physical Freedom is the Key to Solution and Peace.”
Women from Qamişlo, Tirbespiyê, Dêrik, Til Koçer, Til Hemîs, Çilaxa, Girgê Legê, Amûdê, and Rimêlan attended the rally at the Qamishlo Heysem Kico Stadium in the Cizire Canton.
Thousands of women enthusiastically participated in the rally, dancing to songs. The rally began with a moment of silence in memory of the martyrs.
Kongra Star Coordination Member Bêrîvan Xalid gave a speech, greeting the participants and sending greetings to Öcalan on behalf of the women attending the demonstration.
Saluting the Kurdish leader’s resistance and the struggle of women, Bêrîvan Xalid said: “For 27 years, the whole world turned a blind eye, and a conspiracy was hatched. They wanted to silence us, but with Leader Öcalan’s resistance and our struggle, we influenced the world. Most recently, Leader Öcalan has initiated the Peace and Democratic Society process. For 27 years, he called for peace and a democratic, equal society. However, dirty hands did not allow this process to continue. This year, our Leader has initiated the process again. Ss Leader Öcalan’s people,we are responding to his call and supporting it. Both Leader Öcalan and the Freedom Movement have taken steps, including the withdrawal of the guerrillas from Turkey. The state, however, is yet to take steps. Still, they should know that we will stand behind Leader Öcalan’s call in line with our insistence and the revolution we have started. We will always be in action, and even more persistent in taking our leader from their hands. We will fight to secure the right to hope for Leader Öcalan, who gives hope to peoples and women. Without him, there will be no peace and freedom in the region and the Middle East. If the peoples of the Middle East want to live freely, they must heed his call. Once again, as the voice of Kurdish, Arab, and Syriac women, we call for Leader Öcalan’s freedom. International institutions must implement their own decisions to secure his rights. Until our leader is free, we will carry on his path.”
On behalf of Syriac women, Semîra Hena, a member of the Syriac Union, read the following statement in Syriac: “Mr. Öcalan said to the Syriac people that the region has a very ancient and rich civilization, and that this civilization is the cornerstone of the common life project. Leader Abdullah Öcalan presented a humanistic project based on building a democratic society and the equality of peoples. The patriarchal mindset that has persisted for centuries is hindering the freedom of women and Middle Eastern society. Mr. Öcalan guarantees the freedom of women and society. His freedom is a moral and humanistic call.”
Speaking on behalf of the PYD administration in Til Hemis, Bedîa Ebdurehman stated that women have taken to the streets today for the most important struggle, saying, “Under challenging conditions, Leader Öcalan made a revolutionary initiative with the Peace and Democracy Manifesto. This manifesto is humanity’s document for the construction of the Middle East and the protection of the dignity of peoples. Mechanisms of oppression, occupation, and massacre can be dismantled through a democratic project. With this initiative, Leader Abdullah Öcalan appeals to the Kurdish, Arab, Syriac, and Assyrian peoples, stating that their strength lies in their unity and a democratic approach.”
After the speeches, artist Bêrîvan Botan from the Hilala Zêrîn Center in Qamishlo sang songs depicting Öcalan’s struggle. Bêrîvan Botan commemorated the martyrs and dedicated the first song to the mothers of the martyrs.