Protests against Erdogan continue in Germany

German President greeted Erdogan on the red carpet in the presidential palace, while protests continue outside with the motto, “We don’t want the Turkish dictator”.

Masses are taking to the streets across Germany to protest against Turkish President Reep Tayyip Erdogan who is on a three-day official visit to the country.

Thousands of people protested Erdogan being invited to a European country while he must be tried as a war criminal.

GIESSEN

Kurds and their friends in the German city of Giessen joined a demonstration to protest the isolation of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan and Erdogan’s visit to Germany.

The protest march, organized by Solidarity with Afrin Platform, started at Berliner Platz. The mass was joined by “Die Partei” members at the Karstadt Bridge.

A huge banner held by the demonstrators read “Turkey destroys Kurdish forests and Kurdish lands”, while also freedom was demanded for Austrian journalist Max Zirngast who is jailed in Turkey.

Flags waved by the demonstrators were of YPG-YPJ (People’s/Women’s Defense Units), European Union of Syriacs (ESU), TEV-DEM (Movement for a Democratic Society) and Marxist Leninist Party of Germany (MLPD).

A statement in the name of Solidarity with Afrin Platform was read by Tobias Stroy in the city center. Demonstrators later reached Kirchplatz where statements were read out before the crowd dispersed.

SAARBRUCKEN

Erdogan’s Germany visit was also protested in Saarbrucken where activists handed out leaflets in front of Europagaleri.

A rally organized by DTKM (Democratic Kurdish Society Center) and HDK (Peoples’ Democratic Congress) Saarbrucken organizations, was held in the evening hours.

Speaking at the rally, DTKM Co-chair Dexil İbrahim stated that Erdogan’s only goal is to intimidate the Kurdish people, and laid emphasis on the importance of basing on joint struggle among the Kurds.

Speaking after, in German, Shengal Assembly Co-chair Fikret İgrek started by condemning German state’s collaboration with the Turkish state and called for solidarity with all the opposition and marginalized circles that give a fight for human rights and democracy in Germany.

HDK Saarbrucken branch co-chair Zulfu Camkiran said Germany will give an account before history for fulfilling all the demands of dictator Erdogan.

The rally ended with slogans “Long Live International Solidarity” and “Terrorist Erdogan”.

GENEVA

Another demonstration in protest at Erdogan’s visit to Germany took place in Geneva, capital city of Switzerland.

Kurds and their friends gathered at Mont-Blanc Square and protested against both the German state and the Turkish dictator.

Flags of PKK, YPG-YPJ and posters of Ocalan were waved during the demonstration where speakers said it was unacceptable that Erdogan is being invited to a European country while he must be tried as a war criminal.

Amid slogans “Murderer Erdogan” and “Germany finances, Turkey bombs Kurds”, the demonstration ended after the reading out of statements of protest.