On 23 October 2023, within the scope of the initiative titled “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question,” which was launched under the leadership of internationally recognised personalities, intellectuals, writers, philosophers and jurists, numerous actions and events were organised in different cities across Europe. In Cologne, two mass marches have been held so far, each with tens of thousands of participants, and preparations have now been completed for the third march that will take place this year. Women, young people, the Kurdish people and their friends are working with a spirit of mobilisation to join the march, and home visits, meetings with shopkeepers and street work continue.
Workers in Berlin also voiced their support for the march and issued a call to participate.
Nav Berlin member and worker Davut Övseme said: “As we know, a major march will be held on 8 November. This march is for the freedom of Öcalan and all political prisoners. We want to call on all workers. No worker should look for excuses or say ‘I have work’, everyone should come and take their place in the march. We are workers as well, and we are at our jobs, but on 8 November we will be in Cologne. We hope that all workers will join and that we will take our place in the march.”
Another worker, Ecevit Taştı, drew attention to the importance of the march and said:“When Abdullah Öcalan decided to form a party, he chose the name Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). As workers, we will also take our place in the march. We call on everyone to join, let us take our place in the march. Let us come together in the Freedom March, all of us together, for the freedom of Öcalan.”
Buses will depart from Berlin to Cologne on 7 November at 23:00, from Residenzstraße 54, 13409 Berlin.