Diyarbakir Nerwoz, which was held with the slogan "Dem dema serkeftinê ye" (Now is the time to win), came to an end. The thousands who set out to the park early in the  morning with their colors and slogans reached hundreds of thousands in Newroz Park. Most of the citizens who passed through at least 6 search points managed to enter the area despite intense police attacks and obstructions. The fact that women were subjected to detailed searches and kept waiting longer at search points was protested with the slogans of "Jin jiyan azadi (Women, life and freedom)". Despite the oppression, all women shouted out for the freedom of both PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan and women in the area.

 

'TURKISH STATE'S POLICY'

 

 

Neval Kaval Atsan, one of the women who participated in the Newroz celebrations with enthusiasm, stated that they were attacked at the check points established by the police. Stating that the police prevented women from entering the area, Atsan added, "I think this was done deliberately. Children and women are attacked in all colonial countries. The attacks on women are a conscious state policy. The state considers the women participating in these celebrations as a threat to itself. Here I call on all women to join the resistance. Our presence in this area is response to their pressures so, we are here and we will continue to be on the streets."

 

'WE WILL OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT'

 

 

Despite getting official permissions for the Newroz celebrations, there were police attacks at every point, Leyla Taş stated: “We were kept waiting at the gates for hours with our children. They attacked women and children with police batons. They do not refrain from attacking women and children. The state threatenes women and children. Erdoğan is occupying that office.

 

Stating that she came to Newroz with her 4-year-old nephew, Taş said, “If I am coming to Newroz with my 4-month-old nephew, we can overthrow the government. We will show them the power of women. We will never give up and we will show the power of women to the government in 2023. They are thieves, we all know. They won't be able to cheat in this election."

 

'WE HAVE NO PATIENCE'

 

 

Describing Newroz as the symbol of the Kurds, Sultan Avınç said that She came to the park with her children despite the difficult weather conditions. Stating that they can no longer tolerate the oppression on women and Kurds, Avınç said, “We want peace. We cannot tolerate this war any longer. As Kurds, we are under pressure and persecution. But we can fight against it  if we work together.”

 

Referring to the situation of ill prisoners in prisons, Avınç said, “All politicians are in prisons and most of them are ill. We want our freedom. Everyone should know that our Leader will be free. This success will be ours."

 

'FREEDOM FOR OUR LEADER'

 

 

Expressing her reaction with a victory sign during her speech, Parizade Ulaş drew attention to the situation of ill prisoners. Ulaş said, "There are attacks both against our friends in prisons and those outside. Newroz is the success of the Kurds. All problems in the country will end with Öcalan's freedom. As long as we mothers live, we will call for the freedom of our Leader."

 

'WE STOOD BY OUR WILL'

 

 

Pointing out that women were subjected to intense pressure this year at the Newroz celebrations, Jin Aryan said, “As the people of Amed, we came to the area to celebrate with enthusiasm as we do every year. But they made us wait for more than 5 hours, they didn't even let some of our friends in. They sprayed tear gas at women and children. But despite all these obstacles, the Kurdish people and women stood by their will. Women have been fighting for a thousand years. There is a intense attack on Kurdish women. But there is a truth that women will not stop fighting until they gain their freedom. We will not let fascism win. We will resist. This is our reality."

 

MA / Eylem Akdağ