Reactions from the international public have continued against the occupation attacks on Rojava carried out by Turkish state-backed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and ISIS mercenary groups. Since the attacks began on January 6, millions of people have taken to the streets in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe, to stage protest actions.
Italy is among the centers of these mobilizations. Kurds and their supporters in Italy, who have been protesting the attacks for days through various actions and events, will hold mass marches in Rome, Milan, and Sardinia on February 14. A broadly attended panel on developments in Kurdistan will also be held at the Municipality of Mantua with the participation of politicians.
The actions will be held under the slogan “Freedom for Öcalan, status for Rojava.” The stated aims are to protest the international conspiracy against Abdullah Öcalan on its 27th anniversary, to raise the demand for freedom for Öcalan, and to condemn the attacks on Rojava.
Italian activist Viola Paolinelli spoke to ANF about the attacks on Rojava and the actions and events to be organized on Saturday under Italian leadership.
Those defeated 10 years ago are back on stage
Italian activist Viola Paolinelli said the attacks on Rojava are not new and that the system built in the region since the first days of the revolution is being targeted for destruction. Paolinelli said: “The enemies who were defeated by the Kurds 10 years ago are today once again targeting Rojava by changing their names and disguises. There is no difference between the enemies of 10 years ago and today. Only faces and appearances have changed, but their mindset and the source of the violence and terror they resort to are the same.”
The resistance has not ended
Paolinelli said the resistance of the Kurdish people and those who support them has not ended despite the occupation attacks and the international framework, and continued: “One of the wisest lessons history shows us is the capacity to transform oneself, in a sense to remain fluid, and in this way always to find suitable forms to build new beginnings of resistance. Resistance has never ended. History has always shown us that the Kurdish people cyclically continue to seek freedom and, in one way or another, to rise up.”
Rojava has created a paradigm
Paolinelli said the Kurdish Freedom Movement has spread the “Jin Jiyan Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom) philosophy to the world and in this way created a paradigm, and continued: “If all of humanity had been raised by placing these three concepts (Jin Jiyan Azadî) at the center of all values, we would not be in the situation we are in today. Therefore, spreading this paradigm, making it understandable beyond a specific geography or a specific party, and trying to build a program based on coexistence among peoples, ecology, and gender equality are, in my view, three global demands that extend beyond Rojava, and even far beyond it.
We have seen this in the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States, in the Ni Una Menos movement that spread from South America to the world, and in the Fridays for Future movement that spread from Northern Europe to the world. There is therefore a base that embraces this paradigm. These circles closely follow what is happening in Rojava. For us, it is extremely important to know that even the smallest expression of solidarity with Rojava is always perceived as a great source of strength. For this reason, it is necessary to continue moving forward every day, to weave relations, to build alliances, and to sustain mutual dialogue among the peoples of the world.”
A demand for freedom that transcends borders
Paolinelli said the Kurdish women’s movement has become a transnational network and recalled the women’s conference being held in Colombia.
Paolinelli also said: “These days, a very important meeting is being held in Colombia. This is an indication of the strength of the Kurdish women’s movement and of how it has crossed borders. I would very much like to be there, and in the future I hope to contribute in some way to this great revolution, defined as the worldwide democratic confederalism of women, which aims to embrace the entire world rather than being limited to what has been built only in the Rojava region.”
Defending Rojava is vital for us
Paolinelli recalled the actions to be held in four centers across Italy on Saturday, February 14, to condemn the attacks on Rojava and to demand freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, and said: “This Saturday, various cities across Italy, primarily Rome, will witness major national marches. These actions are very important to us. Those who stand in support of solidarity with the Kurdish people will be present at these actions.
Rome, Milan, and Cagliari will host these marches. For this reason, this struggle stands as one of the struggles that most broadly intersects with local struggles in Italy.
Both Italy’s role in the process of Abdullah Öcalan’s capture and the historical nature of the solidarity shown by the Italian people toward the Kurdish people since that period, and even before, make it extremely important for me to carry forward this legacy and to keep alive the memory of the relationship of brotherhood, or rather, sisterhood, as I prefer to say, between us and the Kurdish people. Today, Rojava in particular represents a concrete utopia that enables us to breathe most in the face of the attacks directed at us in every geography and in every sphere.
For us, protecting, defending, and supporting the people who built the Rojava revolution is a vital responsibility. For this reason, everyone should be present at these marches.”
Actions in Italy on Saturday, February 14:
Rome: Piazza Indipendenza, 14:30
Milan: Largo Cairoli, 14:30
Cagliari: Piazza Garibaldi, 17:00
Mantua panel: Sala degli Stemmi, Palazzo Soardi, 17:00
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