As an answer the call to the women of the World from Kongreya Star for the campaign “Women Rise Up for Afrin!” a delegation of women came to Rojava from Britain. Scotch activist Sarah Glynn gave an interview to ANF about her impressions and inspirations.

 ‘WE SAW HOW DEEP ÖCALAN’S IDEAS ROOTED IN THE SOCIETY’

When she first arrived in Rojava the most striking thing was the smiles of the people, she said: “How many smiles you see, people really seem enjoying the freedom they got. It was good to see what I wrote a about here was representing what is happening.

It is striking to see, how long before these ideas from Öcalan have been proven before the freedom expression was made possible. How really deep in the culture it is. It is not just a young person’s thing but represented through all ages.

Doing so much in such a short time is really impressive. I have more questions in my mind and I feel like I need to talk to more people to answer them.”

‘ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE’

Saying that another world is possible and there is a need for an example, Glynn adds: “We in Scotland still hope we are going to be independent but we don’t want to be the same as before. A lot of people are interested in a different system, we need to have a different system. But you need to have actual examples, and we can look here and see that people are actually building something different.

We know that our governments are not going to be supportive for an alternative system. That is the last thing they want. Working class people who are aware of what is happening here and would think “Don’t destroy it, we want to build and learn from it.” Then it becomes really an international movement.”   

‘MARTYR’S CEMETERY IN KOBANE AND AFRIN WAS IMPRESSIVE’

Sarah Glynn said martyr’s cemetery and things she heard about Afrin were very impressive. She said: “Seeing, that the people from Kobane who lived through liberation went to other places in order to liberate was very impressive. There is a great strength and determination.

I am so sorry not to see Afrin because people say things in Afrin were more developed and there was much more of the grassroots democracy and involvement of women, it also looks so beautiful. I hope that it will be taken back.”

‘BOYCOTTING TURKEY IS VERY IMPORTANT’

Emphasizing how crucial it is to make people aware of the situation in Afrin was before the occupation and the democratic structures which were built that, Sarah Glynn said: “Telling people about the situation here and making people aware that how it is threatened, is something to do. People do not really realize how big the threat from Turkey is. Boosting the idea of boycotting Turkey is very important. We have been talking about it recently, having seen it myself will give me a sort of an authority when talking to people. Not just things that I read or heard but also have seen myself.

Hopefully we will also keep in touch with people from here.”