The series of public gatherings launched to further spread the “Call for Peace and a Democratic Society” made by Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February continues. The Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) are organizing “Peace and Democratic Society Gatherings” in many cities as part of this effort. People participate in these events in large numbers.

Celal Alphan, Deputy Co-Chair of the DEM Party Amed (Diyarbakır) Provincial Organization, spoke to ANF about the meetings: “We are very excited about this process. A relentless struggle that has lasted for many years has entered a new phase with Mr. Öcalan’s call. We are truly witnessing a historic moment. In this process, we are doing everything we can to fulfill our responsibilities.

Achieving peace in this region is not easy. Bringing peace is truly the task of great and virtuous people. Mr. Öcalan has been in this position since 1993. He said, ‘I am looking for a counterpart.’ He has always wanted to solve this issue within democratic parameters.

During the 2013–2015 process, Mr. Öcalan was also in this position. He had confidence in himself, in the struggle he led, in the organization, in the system, and in the mindset he helped create. With the initiative taken by Mr. Öcalan, our people welcomed this process with great enthusiasm.”

We believe in the process and in Mr. Öcalan

Alphan emphasized that every segment of society must take responsibility in the peace process and continued: “It seems that a decision has been reached regarding the strengthening of the thousand-year-old brotherhood between Kurds and Turks. The process is evolving into a new phase, and we can see this happening. We believe in the process and in Mr. Öcalan. We also see that the state is acting with a sense of reason at this stage.

No one has to relive the past. Every step backward results in a serious loss for our peoples and our children. That is why, especially at such a moment, we have made very thorough plans to explain this process to our people. We worked intensely in all districts of Amed; we are trying to explain the process in depth to our people.

We had set a goal to reach 275,000 households across Amed. A significant part of that has already been achieved. By the end of July, we are planning more than two hundred and fifty public gatherings across Amed. Our meetings take place with great enthusiasm. Our people are showing the necessary attention and interest. They are following the process closely.”

Public gatherings are growing stronger day by day

Alphan said that the public gatherings are continuing to grow: “Both the number of meetings and the number of participants are increasing every day. Our people are politically conscious and constantly questioning. That is why we are trying to explain this process. We especially emphasize that a war cannot last a hundred years. We say that even the worst peace is more valuable than the most devastating war.

We have a responsibility to explain the process, and we are fully aware of that responsibility. The citizens attending the public meetings want the state to take immediate, concrete steps. We want to strengthen the brotherhood between Kurds and Turks. Our people have embraced this process with great seriousness. They trust in the process and in their leader (Abdullah Öcalan).”