TEV-DEM co-chair Rûken Ehmed said that with the Rojava Revolution, Newroz took on the color of the brotherhood of peoples and spread throughout Northern and Eastern Syria, and added: “We have passed from Newroz celebrated under oppression to Newroz celebration full of colors and where the Newroz Pîroz Be posters are flying in every city. We walked from banned Newroz to free Newroz."

Speaking to ANF, Rûken Ehmed said that Newroz is a new day of rebellion against darkness, oppression and injustice. She said that it is the peak of the struggle for freedom, democracy, justice and equality and added: “Newroz gained even more meaning with the prison resistance in Amed. Mazlum Doğan celebrated Newroz with three matchsticks in a solitary cell and strengthened the Newroz fire with the fire of his body. Newroz reached its peak with comrades such as Zekiye Alkan, Rehşan Demirel, Ronahî and Bêrîvan. These comrades set their bodies on fire, saying, You can ban Newroz, you can oppress, but you cannot imprison our resisting spirit."

Ehmed said that Newroz was celebrated under difficult conditions in Rojava, as in Rojhilat, Başûr and Bakur Kurdistan, and added: “Newroz celebrations were forbidden. Arrests were made after the celebration, but society never backed down. With the emergence of the Kurdish Free Movement and the action of Mazlum Doğan, Newroz gained its meaning. How it should be celebrated, what the message of Newroz should be, a public reality that reaches the meaning of Newroz has emerged."

Towards free Newroz

Ehmed said that with the Rojava Revolution on 19 July 2012, Newroz took on the color of brotherhood of peoples and spread throughout Northern and Eastern Syria. Noting that meaningful Newroz celebrations were held from Dêrîk to Shehba, from Raqqa to Deir ez-Zor, Ehmed said: "Apart from the Kurdish people, the people living in the region also realized the meaning of Newroz and understood that it was the holiday of the oppressed peoples."

The year to achieve freedom for Öcalan

Ehmed said that the "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Solution to the Kurdish Question" initiative will reach its peak at Newroz, and added: "This year we will celebrate with the spirit of the campaign that will reach its peak at Newroz. Our goal is to ensure Leader Öcalan's physical freedom in 2024. Leader Öcalan's paradigm has become universal. The people of the world are fighting to ensure his freedom. The people of the world also know that the ruling mentality will not end, and the Kurdish problem will not be resolved unless Leader Öcalan's physical freedom is ensured."

Call for participation

Pointing out the importance of a big participation in Newroz, Rûken Ehmed said: “Newroz is a time when the cry for freedom rises. It is the day to end isolation, oppression and colonial power. Therefore, with this spirit, we will all go to the Newroz area. We must call for Leader Öcalan's physical freedom. On Newroz, the day of resistance, we must commemorate the Newroz martyrs and show once again that we are followers of the legacy they left behind."