Kurds and their supporters from various European countries and many German cities arrived early in the morning at the Deutzer Werft area, where they unfurled giant posters of Abdullah Öcalan and loudly voiced their calls for freedom. Banners reading “Freedom for Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan]” in different languages were carried throughout the area, while women, youth, and crowds danced and chanted slogans with great enthusiasm.
March along the Rhine river
The crowd then began marching in processions along the banks of the Rhine River. Led by women, a huge banner reading “End isolation and torture, stop lawlessness, free Leader Apo” was carried at the front. Participants held large photos of Öcalan, banners reading “Denial is over, now it’s time for freedom,” YPG flags, and national symbols.
Throughout the march, chants of “Biji Serok Apo” (Long live Leader Apo), “Be Serok Jiyan Nabe” (There is no life without the Leader), “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom), and “Ciwan fedaiye Apo’ne” (The youth are devoted to Apo) echoed through the streets. The enthusiasm and large turnout during the march along Cologne’s streets and the Rhine River were striking.
During the hours-long march, the flags, banners, and traditional Kurdish clothing of participants drew attention from onlookers. Afterward, the crowd returned to the Deutzer Werft area for the rally.
The rally venue was adorned with giant posters and photos of Leader Abdullah Öcalan. The event was attended by KCDK-E co-chairs Zübeyde Zümrüt and Engin Sever, KNK co-chair Zeyneb Murad, DBP co-chair Keskin Bayındır, Kurdish politician Hatip Dicle, Die Linke’s Foreign Affairs representative Cansu Özdemir, Cologne MP Lea Reisner, internationalist groups, representatives of the European Peace Platform, and members of the Democratic Unity of Forces coalition.
The rally began with a moment of silence in memory of the martyrs and the singing of the anthem Ey Reqîb. Then, KCDK-E co-chair Engin Sever and TJK-E representative Ayten Kaplan took the stage to greet the crowd.
Sever: We will complete this process with Öcalan’s freedom
In his speech, KCDK-E co-chair Engin Sever recalled that Leader Abdullah Öcalan has been held captive for 27 years as a result of an international conspiracy and emphasized that the Kurdish people have resisted for 27 years for their identity, dignity, and freedom.
Referring to Öcalan’s message on February 27, Sever said: “This call has resonated across all parts of Kurdistan and within all Kurdish institutions in Europe. Today’s march is the concrete expression of this commitment. Our call to European states is clear: the Kurdish people demand peace, democracy, and freedom. European governments must assume their responsibilities and support the process initiated by Leader Apo. We will complete this process with his freedom.”
TJK-E representative Ayten Kaplan delivered her speech in German, addressing European public opinion and calling for support for the Kurdish people’s demands for peace and freedom.
Dicle: Öcalan’s freedom is the guarantee of peace in the Middle East
Speaking on behalf of the Global Platform, Kurdish politician Hatip Dicle discussed the aims and international dimension of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign. Dicle noted that the campaign has been shaped by an internationalist perspective, saying: “The world is currently facing a global crisis. The effects of the Third World War are destroying nature and societies. Leader Apo’s perspective offers humanity a new path to overcome these crises.”
Dicle emphasized that the “Democratic Society and Peace Process,” initiated by Öcalan’s February 27 message, is essential not only for the Kurdish people but also for the shared future of all peoples of the Middle East.
“Leader Apo’s freedom is now the fundamental demand of the Kurdish people,” Dicle stated, adding: “His freedom is the guarantee of peaceful coexistence for Kurds, Turks, and all peoples.”
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