A wave of protests took place in cities across Europe on Saturday, as thousands of people condemned Turkey’s military attacks in North and East Syria (Rojava), citing the threat to the people’s self-governance model in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and the growing humanitarian crisis. The demonstrators also accused European institutions and states of complicity in the massacres of the people in AANES, by their selling of weapons to Turkey.
The demonstrations took place following a call to action by the Rise Up 4 Rojava campaign, and just a few days after another wave of demonstrations in solidarity with the people of North and East Syria last week. People from the Kurdish diaspora in Europe joined the protests, as well as thousands of friends and supporters of the Kurds. The demonstrators condemned the attacks of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and Turkey against the people living in North and East Syria, and accused Turkey of carrying out a genocidal policy. The demonstrators also called for solidarity with the people of North and East Syria in their resistance against the attacks.
Solidarity rallies
The demonstrations were organised under the leadership of the European Kurdish Women’s Movement (TJK-E). The demonstrators raised banners bearing slogans such as “Defend Rojava” and “Stop Turkey’s genocide in Rojava”, as well as the Kurdish slogans “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (Woman, Life, Freedom) and “Bijî Berxwedana Rojava!” (Long Live the Rojava Resistance).
Rallies and events took place in major European cities, including capitals such as Berlin, Paris, Vienna, Rome, Amsterdam and Oslo. Protests spread to other cities, including Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne, Hanover, Kassel, Bremen, Leipzig, Dresden in Germany, Strasbourg and Rouen in France, Innsbruck and Bregenz in Austria, Manchester and Cardiff in the UK and Turin in Italy. Organisers called for international recognition of Rojava’s democratic project and an end to Turkey’s military operations.
Activists in the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas in Mexico sent a message of solidarity for Rojava and organised a seminar to discuss the recent developments in the war in Syria, and the model of the AANES.
A banner with the slogan “Defend Rojava from Erdogan and ISIS” was unfurled by Bayern fans and help up for the duration of a football match between Mainz and FC Bayern Munich.
Message of solidarity: We owe it to Rojava not to remain silent
At the action in Hamburg, Germany, Left Party MP Cansu Özdemir said. “The slogan ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ has become both a global manifesto for women’s freedom and a nightmare for oppressive regimes. Ultimately, it is the Kurdish people and women who will prevail,” she said.
In Norway’s capital Oslo, Bente Knagenhjelm of the Norwegian Green Party spoke at the rally. “No longer are the mountains the only friends of the Kurds, we are all friends of the Kurds,” she said, referring to a Kurdish saying dating back to a time when the Kurdish people could only rely on their own strength (and the mountains, typical of where they live) to defend themselves from outside attacks.
German author and activist Anja Flach highlighted the heavy humanitarian toll of the ongoing violence. “Hundreds of thousands are being displaced again by Turkey’s attacks. It is a day to stand with those who are suffering from this war,” she urged.
In Rouen, France, local activists called for global solidarity. “Rojava’s struggle is a struggle for all humanity. We owe it to Rojava not to remain silent,” said a French activist.
Speakers at all the events warned of dire consequences if Turkey’s actions continue, and called for immediate international intervention to safeguard Rojava’s stability and gains to date.
