Kurdish citizens marched from DGB Haus to Corneliusplatz in Düsseldorf on the occasion of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan’s birthday on April 4.

The demonstration, promoted by the Kurdish Women's Union in Germany (YJK-E), was also supported by the Revolutionary Youth Movement (TCŞ), Federation of Free Society of Mesopotamia (FED-MED) and other Kurdish organizations.

After a minute of silence in memory of the Kurdistan Freedom Martyrs, Ayten Kaplan made a speech on behalf of YJK-E and celebrated Öcalan’s 76th birthday, calling it “the resurrection day of the Kurdish people”.

Referring to Öcalan’s February 27 ‘Call for a Peace and Democratic Society’, Ayten Kaplan criticized the Turkish state for not going into action in response to the Kurdish leader’s historic initiative.

“There are many issues that the state should have taken action about so far, but these steps are not taken. Without the freedom of the leader, without a response to his democratic call, this process cannot progress. We will embrace our will, and we will be on the streets for the realization of a democratic solution in Turkey. Every friend should be ready and strengthen their work in this period in order to support the initiative taken by our leader.”

TCŞ Member Ahmed Amed celebrated Öcalan’s birthday and said, “Leader Öcalan has started a new process. We join the step he has taken for democracy and peace. We will work in all areas to strengthen his move and ensure his physical freedom.”

FED-MED Co-Chair Şevin Sincar pointed out that people have not left the streets since March 8 and Newroz on March 21 and said, “This struggle, which started with 6 people 52 years ago, has met with millions today. We would like to thank our leader for bringing this struggle to these days. On this occasion, we celebrate the birthday of the leader and the Kurdish people once again.”

After the speeches, the group formed a cortege with t-shirts with Öcalan’s pictures on them and marched with banners and placards demanding the freedom of the Kurdish leader.