Yesterday, on 2 October, various protests were held across Europe within the scope of the ‘Dem Dema Azadiyê, Azadiya Rêber Apo Azadiya me’ [‘Time for Freedom, Leader Öcalan’s Freedom is our Freedom’] campaign.
Activists gathered under the slogan “Take Action for Öcalan” in front of the Council of Europe building in Strasbourg, France.
Abdullah Öcalan the leader and founder of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), has been kept in solitary confinement in Turkey’s Imrali Island since he was captured in 1999 and is a leading figure for Kurdish people.
However, protesters demanding freedom for Öcalan were faced with police violence in front of St. Maurice’s Church in Strasbourg. After the rally ended, a commune village was set up with tents in front of St. Maurice’s Church, but French police attacked the activists using tear gas. While some protesters were detained in an aggressive manner, the tents were torn down by the police.
The European Kurdish Democratic Societies Congress (KCDK-E) condemned the police violence and actions against the protesters and called for solidarity.