The European Kurdish Democratic Societies Congress (KCDK-E) issued a written statement regarding the march held in Cologne, Germany, on 8 November under the slogan “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question.”
In its statement, the KCDK-E emphasized that the marches, which drew hundreds of thousands of participants, once again demonstrated the organized strength, determination, and unity of the people around Abdullah Öcalan.
The KCDK-E released a statement titled “We thank the hundreds of thousands who marched under the slogan ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question.’”
The statement read as follows: “On November 8, tens of thousands gathered in Cologne, Germany, filling the streets under the slogan ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Political Solution to the Kurdish Question.’ The Kurdish people voiced their demands for freedom and democracy, calling for the immediate release of their leader, Abdullah Öcalan, who has led their decades-long struggle against the policies of annihilation and denial.
Our people and friends flocked from all across Europe, filling the streets and once again shaking the famous Cologne Bridge with their chants. The enthusiasm and determination were immense. Responding to Abdullah Öcalan’s February call, tens of thousands declared their readiness for Peace and a Democratic Society.
The march held in Cologne on November 8 was not merely a demonstration, but a historic day when the organized strength and will of our people resonated throughout the streets of Europe. Tens of thousands, with one voice and a clear determination, chanted the same slogan: Bijî Serok Apo! (Long live President Öcalan!)
This great march was not just an event; it was a declaration of will, the result of the dedicated efforts of all our assemblies, institutions, the leadership of women, and the mobilization spirit of the youth across Europe.
Between November 1 and 8, mass and spirited marches took place in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Austria, Marseille, and many other centers. It became a global mobilization. The final march was held with tens of thousands in Cologne, Germany.
Our people, wherever they were, acted in an organized way, holding meetings, distributing materials, visiting homes and shops, mobilizing everyone to join the demonstrations. We salute the steadfastness, mobilization, effort, and determination of our people to unite around Abdullah Öcalan.
This spirit marks a new period, a time for renewed organization and growth.
In all these global marches, people from all four parts of Kurdistan (Bakur, Başur, Rojhilat, and Rojava), faith communities, women, and youth came together with a spirit of national unity, adding color and strength to the squares. Every segment of society participated with full representation.
Our duty now is to make this labor and accumulation permanent, not to be content with a single march, but to begin the expansion of our Freedom Campaign. We are now in the moment of building an even stronger mobilization for the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan and the recognition of the Kurdish people’s status.
In the coming days, every assembly, every institution, and every individual must deepen their participation wherever they are and carry this struggle forward.
The voice that rose from Cologne must echo in every city, every square, and every street of Europe.
As KCDK-E, we congratulate all our institutions, assembly members, women, youth, and people who built this process through their efforts, and we call on everyone to continue the struggle with the same determination.
We walked together, and together we will succeed. There will be no rest until freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and status for Kurdistan are achieved!”