At the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival in London, Matt Wrack, president of the United Kingdom’s largest trade union, the Trades Union Congress (TUC), praised the Kurdish people’s struggle for self-determination and justice. Wrack’s remarks were met with resounding applause and chants of “Freedom for Öcalan“, demonstrating the strong support of the festival-goers.
In his closing speech, Wrack highlighted the enthusiastic participation of the Kurdish community, noting the visible Kurdish contingent in the demonstration. “I would like to welcome and pay tribute to them for their fight for self-determination and justice for the Kurdish people,” he said, acknowledging their presence and commitment.
The Kurdish People’s Assembly expressed gratitude on their X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, “It was an honour to join this year’s festival with important discussions with other organisations across the British and international trade union movement. We thank Matt Wrack, President of the TUC, for his warm and welcoming speech.”
Kurds from London, Exeter, and Liverpool were notably present, donning T-shirts emblazoned with ‘Freedom for Öcalan’ and carrying banners and placards supporting the movement for Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan. British workers joined in solidarity, applauding the Kurdish delegation.
Trade unionists wore ‘Freedom for Öcalan’ stickers on their lapels, chanting slogans of freedom and equality throughout the march. Final speeches at Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Square reiterated the union’s support for the Kurdish cause.
In 2014, the British trade union movement condemned Turkey’s obstruction of support for Kurds during the Kobani (Kobane) battle against ISIS. The bravery of the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Women’s Protection Units (YPJ) inspired the trade union movement.
By 2015, tensions escalated as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan resumed hostilities against the Kurds following a parliamentary setback. In response, British unions launched the Freedom for Öcalan campaign in 2016, which has since garnered support from over 14 major unions and the TUC.
Recently in 2022, 16 UK unions demanded an end to Turkey’s military actions in northern Iraq and Syria, calling for troop withdrawal and cessation of civilian terrorisation in an open letter to the Turkish ambassador.
