The Kurdish Movement Leadership released a statement marking the 47th founding anniversary of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), calling it “the National Resistance Day”.
The statement on Thursday includes the following:
“We mark the anniversary of the founding of the PKK, which has pioneered the Kurdish people’s struggle for existence and freedom and successfully played its historical role. The people of Kurdistan celebrate this historic development, the founding of the PKK, as the National Resistance and Party Day. We wish a happy National Resistance and Party Day, first and foremost to Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan), the martyrs, the people of Kurdistan, the peoples of the Middle East and the world, women, and all Apoist comrades.
The PKK is the creator of a great legacy that has gone down in history. It has broken the denialist, genocidal, colonialist mentality that sought to annihilate our people. It has saved the Kurdish people from extinction and cemented their existence. The Kurdish people have gained consciousness, will, and identity through the PKK. Through the PKK, it has defined itself, fought for its existence against the forces seeking to destroy it, and won this struggle. Undoubtedly, this struggle was not easy. It was won through great effort and sacrifice. Tens of thousands of Apoist militants and patriots gave their lives as martyrs. Our people suffered great pain and paid a heavy price.
The PKK has created great value as a result of the sacrifices it has made. When Leader Apo introduced a new strategy in the struggle, he deemed it necessary to dissolve the PKK. He viewed this dissolution as the beginning of a new struggle. In the coming period, the struggle will be developed based on the values created by the Apoist movement over 52 years, and a Democratic Turkey and a Democratic Middle East will be created on this basis. Thus, the existence and freedom of the Kurdish people will be guaranteed, and genocidal colonialism will be consigned to history.
The PKK has developed as a party of martyrs. Leader Apo has defined the PKK as a party of martyrs. On this occasion, we once again commemorate all the martyrs of the revolution and democracy with great respect and gratitude. It is clear that the struggle we have developed at the cost of martyrs has taken its historical place by paving the way for a free people, free women, a free country, and free humanity. Today, our people are advancing towards freedom on this path with the Peace and Democratic Society Process. Let no one doubt that our people will successfully win this historic stage of their struggle for liberation. With this thought and hope, we once again wish great success to our people and all our friends who are struggling.
With faith in freedom and success, we celebrate the National Resistance and Party Day once again. We call on everyone to celebrate this historic day with enthusiasm, hope, and a spirit of struggle.”