Kurds living in Europe take to the streets on International Workers’ Day

While workers all over the world are taking to the squares on 1 May, the International Workers' Day, Kurds are also taking part in the demonstrations with their own colours.

Kurds participated in the 1 May marches organised by trade unions across Europe.

Marseille

In Marseille, France, thousands of people gathered in Canabier Square to celebrate 1 May Labour Day. Organisations and institutions, including the Kurdistan Democratic Society Centre, participated in the event with their own colours, banners and pennants.

During the march, Kurds chanted slogans such as "Freedom for President Apo", "Status for Kurdistan", "Murderer Erdoğan", "End the occupation".

In the leaflets distributed, attention was drawn to the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan, the Turkish occupation in Kurdistan, and to the fact that the Turkish state is preparing for a comprehensive war in Kurdistan territory.

Hennebont

In Hennebont, France, labour unions, political parties and associations gathered at the municipal square at 10:30 am. Kurds living in Lorient and Hennebont took part in the May Day demonstrations with their own colours.

In the speeches made, it was emphasised that 1 May is the day when all workers and peoples struggling against oppression unite in solidarity and express their common desire for freedom. It was stated that all peoples, regardless of skin colour, religion, language and gender, express their desire for a just, democratic and peaceful world. The May Day celebration ended with slogans and marches.

Hamburg

1 May Day was celebrated with enthusiasm in Hamburg, Germany. Thousands of people gathered in front of Altona Municipality at 11.00 am. Kurds in the city also took their place in the 1 May demo. The march, in which trade unions, political parties and many women's organisations participated, ended at Landesbrücken harbour.

Frankfurt

Dozens of movements, trade unions and women's organisations came together in Frankfurt Hauptwache and marched on the occassion of International Workers’ Day. Amara Women's Assembly, Frankfurt Democratic Kurdish Community Assembly, representatives of PJAK (Kurdistan Free Life Party), KCR (East Kurdistan Youth Group), KJAR (Free Women's Society of East Kurdistan) and dozens of leftist organisations took part in the march. The Belgian state's attitude towards the Kurdish media was also protested with a banner.

The front cortege of the march carried the banner "Hoch die interationale Solidarität" (Long Live the Solidarity of Peoples), while the banners "Bîjî Yek Gûlan" (Long Live 1 May) and "Free Kurdish Press Cannot be Silenced" attracted attention. The May Day march, in which the slogan "Jin Jîyan Azadî" (Woman, Life, Freedom) was frequently raised, continued until Römerplatz square.

Duisburg

The International Workers' Day was celebrated with enthusiasm in Duisburg, Germany. The event organised by the German Trade Union Association (DGB) started at 10.00 in the morning in front of the City Hall in Duisburg-Hamborn district. Representatives of various organisations and trade unions, as well as young people, made speeches at the rally site demanding their rights. Speeches were made on behalf of the German MLPD, ATIF and KON-MED among German-Turkish and Kurdistan organisations.

After the speeches, the crowd walked about 3 km to Landschaftopark-Nord Square where the rally was held. Along the way, Kurdish demonstrators chanted "Long Live May Day", "Bijî Yek Gulan", "Bijî Serok Apo" (Long Live Leader Öcalan), "Zap-Avashin-Metina", "Bijî Berxwedana Guerrilla" (Long Live the Guerrilla Resistance).

Mannheim

A march was held in Mannheim, Germany with the participation of trade unions and organisations. The march started at 10:00 at the Gewerkschaftshaus Square and continued through the busiest streets of the centre. In the central Marktplatz, food and information stands were set up by various organisations. The celebrations continued until 15:00.

During the march Kurdish demonstrators frequently chanted the slogans "Bijî Yek Gûlan" and "Bijî Serok Apo". During the march, large banners in Kurdish, Turkish and German, Rojava flags, TJK-E pennants and photographs of Paris martyrs were displayed.

Stuttgart

May Day was celebrated with a big march in Stuttgart, Germany. Workers, labourers and women resistance activists from all peoples, colours and professions came together to protest against Germany's arms support to the "Erdoğan dictatorship" and to express solidarity with the YPJ and YPG resistance.

Kurds and their friends gathered at Marktplatz and started to march at around 10.30 to Marktplatz, which was chosen as the venue for the rally. A large poster of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan was also unfurled.

Helsinki

A march was organised in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, on the occasion of International Workers’ Day. Trade unions and organisations of workers and employees came together under different blocks and held a joint march. The Kurds took part in the "General Strike" block led by the NCDK (Kurdish Democratic Community Center) and formed by many leftist and anarchist organisations.      

The theme of the general strike block in the march was to call for a general strike and to show the strength of the workers against the policies of the current right-wing government in Finland. Strikes have recently been organised in Finland against the government's policies, but the current government has been unresponsive and has not entered into negotiations with the unions.

The May Day march continued to the Oodi Library in the city centre. Statements criticised the policies of the right-wing government and called for a general strike.