Newroz celebration is being organised in Istanbul by Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) under the slogan "Democratic Society for Freedom". Adressing hundreds of thousands of people at Yenikapı Square, Free Women's Movement (Tevgera Jinên Azad-TJA) activist Gultan Kisanak said, "You are making history here today. Kurds are standing all around and demanding their freedom. We have been tested with all kinds of evil, but we did not give up our Kurdishness and our struggle. Open the doors of the prisons, provide the conditions for Mr Öcalan to carry out this process. Mr Öcalan has called for peace and a democratic society. Young people will pave the way for a democratic politics. We want an honourable peace. We want to be equalt citizens. We want the oppression on our language, culture and identity to end."

 

Kışanak said, "We defend peace against war. We are in favour of the will of the people against the trustees. Some people are late, but I hope everyone realises the principle that what comes with the ballot box goes with the ballot box. Mr Öcalan made a very important call for a Kurdish-Turkish alliance. Now it is time for Ankara to take a step. Ankara needs to hear the voice of the peoples, the voice of Rojava. Open the way for Mr Öcalan and let's build a free and equal future."

 

'WE WILL WIN TOGETHER'

 

Speaking afterwards, DEM Party MP Kezban Konukçu said, "Despite the collapse plans, our people resisted and came to this day. We, as HDK, will definitely spoil this game. All peoples want equal citizenship. Today Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested on trumped up grounds. We are in favour of struggle together. We will fight as women and young people and we will surely win."