Thousands have flocked to Berlin to protest the 25th anniversary of the PKK ban, the German state’s policy of criminalization and prohibition against Kurds, the rising racism in the country and the police act the federal government wants to pass.

Thousands from various peoples, including Kurdistanis from dozens of provinces in all states of Germany, have gathered in the Alexanderplatz Square and are waiting for the march to begin at the intersection of Rathaus Street and Spandauer Street.

The crowd in the square is playing music and dancing the halay, and there are short speeches condemning the increasingly right-wing policies of the German state and their cooperation with the Turkish state. The crowd has also put up banners that read “Long live the fight against fascism” and “Long live international solidarity” in the square.

Kurdish Democratic Society Center (NAV-DEM) Germany supports the march which was called by over 70 NGOs, scientists, academics, lawyers, MPs, journalists and human rights defenders.

Political party members, union representatives, feminists and various leftist groups also support the march held under the title, “The demand for freedom can’t be baned - Joint struggle against the Police Act, PKK ban and nationalism”. The march will begin at 13:30, and will end in a rally in Spreewaldplatz Square in the Kreuzberg district following a colorful protest.