Organized by the KNK, Civaka Îslamiya Kurdistan (CÎK), and Kurdish Institutes, the rally took place in Heumarkt Square.

Participants commemorated Sheikh Said (Şêx Seîd) and 47 of his companions, as well as other pioneers of Kurdish resistance history, delivering the message that the Kurdish struggle for identity and freedom continues without interruption.

A tradition of resistance

At the rally, posters of Sheikh Said, Xalit Begê Cibrî, Seyit Abdulkadir, and Yusuf Ziya were carried, while the square was decorated with slogans and flags symbolizing the resistance.

It was emphasized that the struggle led by Abdullah Öcalan today represents the current continuation of this historic line of resistance.

KNK Co-Chair Ahmet Karamus stated in his speech that the 1925 uprising was a popular rebellion against Kemalist denial and the Treaty of Lausanne, stressing that “the process initiated by Öcalan will shape the future of the Kurdish people.”

'Our grandchildren will avenge us'

CÎK President Mele Şevket Çakır remarked that Sheikh Said’s words, “Our grandchildren will avenge us”, find their resonance today in the ranks of the Kurdish struggle. Çakır noted that the Kurdish people have resisted for a hundred years, that they will no longer be deceived, and that the struggle continues with the Freedom Movement.

Continuation and completion of the resistance

KCDK-E Co-Chair Zübeyde Zümrüt highlighted the significant legacy of resistance left by Kurdish women, stating, “The struggle initiated by Öcalan is the continuation and conclusion of this resistance, aiming to create a democratic and free society. Öcalan draws lessons from this historical reality and continues the struggle with a new paradigm, embracing his identity.”

'Our people keep their heads high’

CÎK General President Hikmet Serbilind said: “As a people, our heads are held high; wherever Kurds live, they take to the streets to protest the executions of their leaders and honor their struggle.”

Hasan Basri Fırat, grandson of Sheikh Said, thanked the participants at the rally and shared reflections on the 1925 uprising and the historical significance of the struggle of Sheikh Said and his companions.

The struggle for freedom will continue

Politician İdris Baluken stated in his speech: “They tried to suppress collective memory. The Kurdish people embraced this struggle and will hold this oppression accountable today.”

Baluken emphasized that the Kurdish people have preserved their century-old memory, and that with Öcalan’s strategic foresight, a new process has been initiated to resolve the Kurdish issue. He underlined that for this process to succeed, the state must fulfill its responsibilities and that constitutional change is inevitable.

Musical performance

At the event, artists Hozan Aydın and Dengbêj Maruf performed songs in memory of Sheikh Said and his companions. The rally concluded with a call to keep the symbols of resistance alive in collective memory.

Final d​​​​​​​eclaration of Brussels conference read

At the rally, the final declaration of the international conference titled “Sheikh Said and the Society of Azadî: History, Memory, and Collective Dissent,” held in Brussels, Belgium, on June 27–28, was read to the crowd after being revised in line with participants’ recommendations.