NEWS CENTER – Young activists from across Turkey are preparing for marches in Amed (Diyarbakır) and Bursa on October 18 under the slogan “Free Life with the Leader of Freedom.” Organized by the Patriotic Youth Platform, the marches aim to demand the physical freedom of Abdullah Ocalan.
In Amed, the march will begin at Alipınar Bridge in the Rêzan (Bağlar) district at 5:00 pm local time and proceed to Ben û Sen Tower in the Sûr district, where participants will issue a statement before holding an “overnight vigil for freedom.”
Members of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Youth Assembly called on young people to join the demonstrations.
“This conspiracy was not only against one person but against the will, hope, and future of an entire people,” said Adem Yılmaz, a member of the DEM Party’s Van Youth Assembly, referring to the international plot that led to Öcalan’s capture.
He said: “To denounce this mentality and resist it in every field is a necessity for a free and honorable peace. We have not forgotten or forgiven October 9, and we will continue to hold those responsible accountable.”
Yılmaz stated that the upcoming marches would reflect the Kurdish people’s collective voice: “With every step, we will carry the voice of our people. This march is more than a protest, it is a stance. The Kurdish people are demanding the freedom of their leader, and this demand can no longer be ignored.”
Touching on policies of denial and repression against the Kurdish language, Yılmaz emphasized: “Our mother tongue is the foundation of our identity. To deny it is to deny a people’s existence. The Kurdish people insist on living in their own language, and this will never be broken. These pressures must end; the brotherhood of peoples can only be built on equality. The state’s policies of infiltration, drugs, and prostitution aim to corrupt youth and society. Young people must resist these traps and build their future through organized struggle.”
‘FREEDOM OF OCALAN IS THE FREEDOM OF PEOPLE’
Highlighting the main demand of the marches, Yılmaz said: “Abdullah Öcalan’s physical freedom is being openly demanded on the platforms of freedom because people know that freedom can only be achieved with the Leader of Freedom. This is not just a slogan but the deepest desire of the people’s hearts. On October 18, the youth will march with determination, their voices merging with millions against darkness and oppression.”
Haşim Kutluk, from the DEM Party Van Youth Assembly, called on everyone to join the demonstrations: “We will march from all cities to the Amed walls on October 18 for the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan. Until he is free, we will remain on the streets. We call on women, youth, and all our people to join us in this march.”
Celal Ozer, from the DEM Party Amed Youth Assembly, also underlined the significance of mass participation, recalling Öcalan’s “Peace and Democratic Society” call: “Hegemonic powers seek to impose their interests, especially in the Middle East. The Kurdish people know we are living through historic times. Leader Apo’s call strengthened the democratic nation line and the hope of freedom for all peoples, women, and youth.”
Ozer said the goal of the march is to push the state to take concrete steps toward peace: “They talk about peace, yet special war policies continue. True peace requires real action. From the beginning, young people have embraced the ‘Peace and Democratic Society Manifesto.’ Guided by its principles, we organize ourselves communally. Our march and vigil will reflect this commitment.”
Ozer concluded: “In Kurdistan, we will march to the Amed walls, and in Turkey, to Gemlik. We call on all youth and our patriotic people; let us organize ourselves and live freely with the Leader of Freedom. Let’s act as if Leader Apo were among us. We invite everyone to join the march and the vigil.”