British-born Dean Carl Evans (Givara Rojava) had lost his life in Manbij on July 21. A memorial service was held for Evans in the Democratic Kurdish Society Center in the Haringey borough of London.

Martyr Kostas Scurfield’s father Chris Scurfield, Martyr Jack Holmes’ mother Angie Blannin, Irish-born Kurdish ally of 40 years Mark Campbell and Martyr Mehmet Aksoy’s mother Zeynep Aksoy were present in the memorial, and Martyr Mehmet Aksoy’s sister Gonca Aksoy presented the event.

Martyrs’ families and Campbell gave speeches in the event as well.

FAMILY: HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR A CAUSE HE WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT

Evans’ mother Tracey Howell stated that Evans gave his life for a cause he was passionate about.

Howell said: “Some say Dean ‘gave his young life for nothing’. I want to say to them, Dean made a conscious choice for a cause he was passionate about and went to Rojava to fight. We are immensely proud of him. Dean went to Rojava twice, the first time he went because I think he wanted to be a soldier. After a few months in Rojava, Dean came home but he was a changed person. Not in a bad way, but he had a different outlook on what was going on in Rojava and what was important in life. In December 2015, he said decided to go back because he couldn’t carry on with his comfortable life and sit back watching what Daesh was doing, not only in Rojava but all over the world.

The way the Kurdish people embraced us has given us much honor and their support lessened our pain in this process. Every day many Kurds lose their fathers, husbands, wives, children and loved ones, sadly most of these are not even reported in the Western media. I would like to send my love to the families of people who lost their lives in Rojava.”

Howell concluded her speech in tears, chanting “Shehîd Namirin” (Martyrs are immortal).

Dean’s father Steve Howell said his son couldn’t stay silent in the face of the suffering of the Kurdish people and followed his heart. Howell said Dean was a great young man, gave his life for the values he believed in and that they are proud of him.

A short film about Dean Evans and the Rojava Revolution was also screened in the event.

Activist Mark Campbell stressed that he is proud of Evans and read a poem he wrote for him.