In the last few days, people of Kurdistan and their friends have organised actions in a number of places in Europe in response to the call of the Defend Kurdistan Initiative.
One of these places was Trafalgar Square in London. YPG (People’s Defence Units) and YPJ (Women’s Defence Units) flags were unfurled, and pictures of the Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan displayed on placards at the action, which was supported by groups in solidarity with the Kurds.
They spoke about the policies of oppression being implemented by Turkish President Erdoğan and the Turkish government against the Kurdish people, and said that Turkey was committing war crimes. Following the speeches they marched towards the Houses of Parliament, led by groups in solidarity with Kurdistan.
Protests were also organised in other cities of Europe. In Basel in Switzerland, thousands joined a march organised under the leadership of Defend Kurdistan.
Swiss, Kurdish and Turkish people from all walks of life came together in Die Welt Park at Bahnhofplatz. Journalist and Green Party BastA Party Secretary Franziska Stier, who was part of the Peace Delegation that went to Kurdistan and was deported by the Erbil (Hewlêr) administration, said: “We will stand up for the Kurdish people against these policies, which pave the way to intra-Kurdish conflict, occupation and genocide.”
Kurds, their Finnish friends and activists also made a statement and held a march in the Finnish capital Helsinki. Thousands took part in the action. International groups sang songs in solidarity with the Kurds.
Another protest was organised in the Italian capital Rome against Turkey’s attacks in South Kurdistan. The Communist Refoundation Party, Potere Al Popolo (Power to the People), the Cobas Trade Union Centre and representatives of the Italy Water Network took part alongside the Kurds and their friends.
