Kurdish Groups And Their Allies Stage Protest Marches Across Europe Opposing Turkish And Syrian Military Attacks On Rojava
December 14, 2024
In many cities across Europe, Kurds and their friends, led by the European Kurdish Women’s Movement (TJK-E), took to the streets to protest the Turkish state’s invasion and the Syrian National Army (SNA) attacks against Rojava.
HAMBURG
In Hamburg, a march was held to protest the invasion and genocide attacks in Rojava by the Turkish state and its allied SNA militias. Hundreds of Kurds and German activists participated in the march, which was organized by the Hamburg Rojbin Women’s Assembly.
Before the march, Cansu Özdemir, a member of the Left Party in Hamburg, stated that the slogan “Jin Jiyan Azadî” (Women, Life, Freedom) had transformed from a slogan into a manifesto for the freedom of women worldwide, becoming a nightmare for the powers that be. She added that the fear of the Women’s Revolution is the reason behind the invasion and annexation attacks on Rojava, and she predicted that in the end, the Kurdish people and Kurdish women would prevail.
Author and activist Anja Flach emphasized that the Turkish state’s invasion had displaced hundreds of thousands for the second time and caused a humanitarian crisis in the region. “Today is the day to stand with our people who are suffering due to the war,” she said.
Lawyer Yavuz Fersoğlu, who is also running as a candidate for the Left Party in the upcoming elections, called for an immediate halt to the weapons and economic support Western states give to the fascist Turkish government under Erdoğan. “Our children are being murdered, our country is being bombed, so that your states and arms dealers can make money. You, who have strengthened Erdoğan and brought destruction upon our people, are just as guilty of this massacre,” he said.
The march featured large banners reading “Stop the Massacre in Rojava” and “Defending Rojava is Defending Humanity,” along with flags of TEV DEM and YPG, and chants like “Bijî Berxwedana Rojava” (Long Live the Resistance of Rojava), “Terrorist Erdoğan,” and “Jin Jiyan Azadî.”
AMSTERDAM
In the Dutch capital, Amsterdam, hundreds of Kurds and Dutch activists gathered in response to TJK-E’s call to support Rojava and protest the invasion attacks. The demonstration, organized by the Dutch Kurdish Women’s Union (YJK-H), marched from Leidsplein to Dam Square, where a statement about the Turkish state’s invasion was read in English. At the end of the protest, speeches were made in Kurdish, English, and Dutch.
The protesters chanted “Terrorist Erdoğan,” “EU financed Turkey bombs,” “Jin Jiyan Azadî,” “Woman Life Freedom,” and “Bijî Berxwedana Rojava.”
BREMEN
In Bremen, the invasion attacks by the Turkish state and its allied militias against Rojava were protested by the Riseup für Rojava-Defend Kurdistan Bremen Initiative, Sêvê Women’s Assembly, and Gemeinsam Kämpfen. Protesters marched from Bremen Hauptbahnhof to Domsheide, with a moment of silence for the martyrs of the Kurdistan Freedom Struggle.
During his speech, Şerzad Elo from PYD Bremen spoke about the ongoing attacks against Kurdish achievements and democratic living projects. He emphasized that the Kurdish people would not abandon their fight for a democratic Syria, despite the threats posed by the Turkish state and its neo-Ottoman ambitions.
Protesters chanted “Bijî Berxwedana Rojava,” “Bijî Berxwedana YPG,” “Bijî Berxwedana YPJ,” “Bijî Berxwedana QSD,” “Bijî Berxwedana Kobanê,” “Bijî Berxwedana Minbic,” and “Bijî Serok Apo.”
SAARBRÜCKEN
In Saarbrücken, Kurds and their friends held a mass protest against the genocide attacks by the Turkish state and its militias. Prior to the march, speeches affirmed their commitment to protect the achievements of the peoples living in Rojava.
The protesters walked towards Europa Galerie, chanting “Bijî Serok Apo,” “Bijî Berxwedana Rojava,” and “Terrorist Turkey.”
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
In Friedrichshafen, despite heavy rain and cold weather, Kurds and their allies protested the Turkish fascist militias’ attacks on Rojava. During the rally, slogans like “Bijî Berxwedana Rojava” and “Killer Erdoğan” were frequently chanted.
ROUEN
In Rouen, protests were held against the invasion of Rojava, with greetings for the YPG and YPJ resistance.
The speeches emphasized that Rojava’s struggle would determine the future of all of Kurdistan and that humanity should support Rojava and join the resistance. Protesters chanted “Terrorist Erdoğan,” “Bijî Berxwedana Rojava,” “Bijî Serok Apo,” and “Jin Jiyan Azadî.”
COLOGNE
In Cologne, the invasion and massacre attempts by the Turkish state and its militias in Rojava were protested. The rally was organized by the Democratic Kurdish Women’s Union (YJKE) and the European Democratic Forces Union. Protesters marched with banners reading “Defend Rojava,” “Bijî Berxwedana Rojava,” and “United Against Turkish Fascism.” The march also included flags of YPG, YPJ, and QSD. A moment of silence was held for the fallen fighters resisting the recent attacks on Minbic and Kobanê.
Following a minute’s silence, the protesters chanted “Bijî Berxwedana Rojava,” “Fascist Erdoğan,” and slogans in support of the Rojava fighters, along with “Jin Jiyan Azadî.” The march continued through Ehrenfeld Street and then returned to the Hauptbahnhof.
Afterward, Ayten Kaplan from TJK-E and Maria Müller from the Democratic Forces Union gave speeches in German, and the protest concluded.
NUREMBERG
In Nuremberg, a protest was held against the attacks on Rojava. The protest, which started as a rally, turned into a march due to the large turnout. Speakers stated that “Rojava resists with the spirit of Kobanê, and the spirit of Kobanê is the herald of Kurdistan.”
They warned that the attacks on Rojava by the Turkish-backed militias would lead to their downfall, and emphasized that the Turkish state would either accept the reality of Kurdistan or be drowned in the ocean they have entered.
Source : https://anfenglishmobile.com/news/kurds-and-their-friends-in-europe-protest-turkish-attacks-on-rojava-76876