Long March gives hope to internationalists

Pablo Vazquez from the Canary Islands participates in the Long March, saying; ‘There is a hope for building a new world here. This also gives me strength.”

The action against the International Conspiracy led by internationalists and young people in Germany has left five days behind despite bad weather conditions. Around 150 people have participated in the action, including 40 internationalists, 15 from Spain and the Catalan region and 25 from Germany. One of the internationalists is 21-year-old Pablo Vazquez. Coming from the Canary Islands after a five-day journey, Pablo explained why he took part in the Long March for the second time, “There is something here that does not exist in our country: hope! There is hope for building a new world here. This gives me strength.”

WE WILL COME WHATEVER IT TAKES

This year's Long March action continues with marches and rallies to be held in a different city each day until February 13 due to the pandemic. The Organization Committee has reported that internationalists who want to join from many parts of Europe cannot take part in this year's march because of the epidemic. This notice was also conveyed to the internationalists in Spain and the Catalan region. However, a group of 15 people, including Pablo Vazquez, replied, "We will come regardless of the conditions," and set off by risking a long and difficult journey.

SECOND ATTENDANCE

Pablo, who has joined the Long March for the second time, joined the action group after a 5-day journey. Starting off from Tenerife, the largest island of the Canary Islands Autonomous Region, Pablo said, “First I went to Huelva in southwestern Spain by sea. From there I took the bus and came to Madrid. I traveled, again by bus, to Metz, France and then to Frankfurt, Germany.”

Pablo explains why he decided to participate as follows: “We are in a challenging period globally. The ruling powers in the world are expanding day by day and holding sway over societies. Instead of sitting in our house, we need to rise up to prevent it from spreading. I'm here despite the pandemic and the cold weather. Here, there is something that does not exist in our country: Hope! There is hope for building a new world here. This gives me strength."

ROJAVA SYSTEM

Coming from a social democratic family, Pablo familiarised with the Kurdish Freedom Movement during the Rojava revolution like many internationalists. He has the following to say on the importance of Rojava for himself: “The situation that has developed in Rojava sets a great example for me. There are many different types of power in different countries around the world. But the structure of democratic confederalism in Rojava is different, it is a system that the whole world should take as an example. Especially socialization and the role of women in the revolution are greater than in any other system. "

ABDULLAH ÖCALAN IS AN IDEOLOGUE

Pablo states that he read the books of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and was very impressed by his ideas, “His evaluations on history are different from many people. His analysis of the patriarchal system is particularly impressive. Abdullah Öcalan does not write familiar things like classical historians. He is an ideologue, he produces ideas. I was very impressed with the ideas he generated."

FREEDOM FOR LEADER ÖCALAN

Pablo also calls attention to the ongoing hunger strikes in Turkey’s prisons demanding Öcalan’s freedom. He says; “The conditions in Turkey’s prisons are terrible and barbaric. I want freedom for political prisoners, especially Leader Apo. I support those who are on hunger strike. It is a great resistance for people to give their lives for their beliefs and thoughts”.

KURDISH FAMILIES HOST1 THE ACTIVISTS

After Hanau, Frankfurt, Mainz and Darmstadt, the activists who arrived in Mannheim yesterday were hosted by the Kurdish people in the city. "It is a very special situation for me to meet Kurdish families who open their doors to us. The fact that people consider this action as a brotherhood shows us that there is a great struggle. There is a very warm environment in terms of human relations. Kurdish families share everything with us. They have solidarist features. Many people out there seek to save themselves. They don't think about their environment. This environment is an important point for our purpose of establishing and building a new life. For this reason, our relationships are developing and getting stronger. "

Source: Yeni Özgür Politika