Tens of thousands gathered in Frankfurt, Germany, on Saturday to celebrate Newroz, voicing their central demand for Abdullah Öcalan’s freedom and criticising German-Turkish cooperation on Kurdish criminalisation.
Highlighting the significant Kurdish festival, Frankfurt witnessed a large gathering despite rain and hail, where demands for Kurdish rights and freedom were vocally expressed. The event, themed “Freedom of Leader Apo is our freedom”, was marked by speeches, cultural performances and the echoing of solidarity chants across Rebstockpark.
Leaders from various Kurdish organisations, alongside the spokeswoman for the Kurdish Women’s Union (YJK-E) and the co-president of Die Linke, addressed the crowd, emphasising unity and the struggle for freedom. Notably, Ruken Akça from the Confederation of Kurdish Communities in Germany (KON-MED), called for the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan, leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) currently imprisoned in Turkey, and urged the German state to cease its cooperation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s regime, highlighting the Kurdish community’s plight due to unresolved issues.
Political messages, in line with the Kurdish movement’s recent and ongoing campaigns, were voiced in the stage speeches and en masse in slogans.
– The central demand was the liberation of Abdullah Öcalan, emphasising his crucial role in achieving peace.
– Criticism was directed at the German government’s cooperation with Turkey in the criminalisation of Kurds within Germany.
– Advocacy for the recognition of Kurdish rights, urging an end to policies criminalising Kurdish activism and supporting Kurdish resistance against oppressive regimes in Iran and Turkey.
– Calls were made for the release of all political prisoners in Turkey and elsewhere.
– Strong opposition to the sale of arms by NATO countries, including Germany, to Turkey, highlighting the negative consequences for Kurdish areas and the quest for peace and security.
– Demands were raised for German and international support for Rojava and criticism of the prohibition of organisations vital in the battle against ISIS and in protecting the Yazidi communities in Sinjar (Şengal).
– Expressions of hope for Kurdish unity and collective action were prominent.
The rally not only served as a platform for political messaging but also celebrated Kurdish culture, with performances from artists like Mad Art and Berfin Mamedova and displays of Kurdish flags and symbols. The gathering was a testament to the Kurdish community’s ongoing fight for recognition and rights, both in Germany and globally.
