KCK's Bayik: 15 August is the spirit of freedom and democracy

KCK Executive Council co-chair Cemil Bayik talks of the importance of 15 August today.

Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) Executive Council co-chair, Cemil Bayik, made some remarks to commemorate the 15 August anniversary at the Dengê Welat Radio. 

Bayik emphasized that the 15 August [first PKK] actions began in Kurdistan's heart Botan. 

“There was a call made from Botan to people. And this call found answers, not only from Kurds but also from other peoples”, said Bayik. 

“This action affected the four parts of Kurdistan and the Middle East. The spirit of 15 August is always alive. It is the spirit of freedom and democracy”, he added.

Noting that the President of the Republic of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan and his ally, Devlet Bahçeli wanted to do what [1980 military coup leader, General] Kenan Evren could not do against the Kurdish people, Bayık underlined that all Kurds and democracy forces must strengthen the movement of democracy and self-defense. 

Bayik commended all Kurdish people, beginning with Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan. 

“I pay tribute - he said - to Agit (Mahsum Korkmaz) and all the heroes of 15 August. The 15 August actions were a result of the 12 September 1980 Fascism. Leader Apo showed that they could not crush Kurds and on 15 August launched the struggle for Kurdish freedom to counter the genocide politics of Turkish fascism”.  

Bayik stated that 15 August is better understood today. "These actions started in Botan, the heart of Kurdistan. From there came a call to people and this call was answered. The Capitalist Modernity has been fighting against Kurdistan for years. But the 15 August actions dealt a heavy blow to capitalism and gave people hope. Leader Apo gave moral to the people”.

Bayik added: “The Turkish fascism thought things would end by arresting Leader Apo. They thought the PKK would fall, but instead Leader Apo continued to lead us and the people. Capitalist modernity did not succeed. The conspiratorial forces did not get the results they wanted".

When the 15 August actions began, said Bayik, the Turkish state was very strong and the movement was weak. 

“But today - he added - you can see that the Kurds have strengthened in every direction. 15 August is a spirit, it never ends, the struggle will always continue with this spirit which is the spirit of freedom and democracy, the spirit of self-determination”. 

The spirit created by Leader Apo, said Bayik, “is always alive, and the Kurdish people are living with this spirit”.