Masses are staging a march from Gare du Nord to Republique Square in Paris to condemn the massacres of Kurdish activists in the French capital on 9 January 2013 and 23 December 2022.

The demonstration honors the memory of Sakine Cansız, a co-founder of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), Fidan Doğan, KNK (Kurdistan National Congress) Representative in Paris, and Leyla Şaylemez, a member of the Kurdish Youth Movement, who were murdered in Paris on 9 January 2013, and KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council Member Evîn Goyî, Kurdish artist Mir Perwer and activist Abdurrahman Kızıl who were murdered on 23 December 2022.

The march promoted by the TJK-E (Kurdish Women’s Movement in Europe) and KCDK-E (European Kurdish Democratic Societies Congress) under the slogan “We know the perpetrators, but France remains silent” is attended by Kurds and their friends from many countries in Europe.

Demonstrators expressed their anger against the massacres carried out by the Turkish state and denounced the collaboration of the French state.

Before the launch of the march, leaflets prepared by the organising committee about the massacre were distributed to passers-by.

Speaking at Gare du Nord before the start of the march, KCDK-E Co-President Engin Sever said the following: “Dear patriotic people, our friends, I salute your 12 years of resistance against the Paris massacre. 12 years ago, 3 revolutionary women were massacred in France. The target of the massacre was the freedom struggle and women's struggle. 10 years later, a second massacre took place, encouraged by the silence of the French state, which we condemn. Our resistance has been going on for 12 years without interruption. Everywhere, in every field, our resistance continues to grow. As is known, Sakine Cansız has a very important place in the Kurdish women's struggle. The Kurdish people are waging a unique and great struggle in the Middle East and Leader Öcalan is sending a message for the Middle East revolution. The unity of the Kurdish people is the greatest answer to this massacre. Comrade Evin Goyi also waged a women's struggle for decades and fought against ISIS. But the French state did not protect her. We demand that the French state shed light on this massacre.”

A speaker representing the Armenian community stated: “As Armenians, we are here in solidarity with the Kurdish people who were subjected to two massacres in Paris in 10 years. Turkish fascism continues to commit crimes and carry out attacks in Rojava. No to Turkish state fascism! We demand the release of all prisoners. We want the PKK to be removed from the terror list.”

Speaking on behalf of the Democratic Kurdish Council in France (CDK-F), Xane Akdoğan said, “It is clear who committed the massacre. We will not give up our quest for justice and our cause. Our struggle will continue to grow until we ensure the freedom of Leader Öcalan and achieve status in Kurdistan.”

French MP Danielle Simonnet said: “We must fight for justice against this terrorist attack. Erdoğan and the Turkish state continue their aggression against Rojava and Syria, where the Alevis and Kurds are under attack. We must stand against this. The PKK is still on the terror list, we demand an end to that. We received messages from Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan. These messages were very important. We support the Kurds' struggle for equality and freedom.”

Esra Demir of the Socialist Women's Union (SKB) said: “Sakine and her likes crowned this struggle with honour. Their struggle frightened Turkish colonialism. The bullets fired at women revolutionaries were aimed at this struggle. At a time when the Kurdish struggle made great achievements, this massacre was carried out to eliminate them. The anti-Kurdish alliance fired bullets at the fighters of the honourable Kurdish struggle. This massacre continued with dark relations and alliances with the French state. Likewise, they attacked once again on 23 December 2022. Although the identity of the murderers of the fascists is hidden, we know very well that the perpetrators are the Turkish state and its imperialist collaborators. We have to wage a united struggle to hold those responsible for these attacks to account. Today, the same aggression is taking place against the achievements of Rojava, which are under great threat. They want to achieve with the SNA what they could not achieve with ISIS. The revolution in Rojava is under aggression. If we are here today with the same anger to demand justice for our murdered women comrades, it is the duty of all freedom forces to defend the achievements of Rojava.”

MP Carlos Martens Bilongo said: “A strong struggle continues. We are fighting against this political massacre in the 10th Arrondissement of Paris. Two massacres took place 10 years apart in the heart of Paris. We are defending humanity. Kurds fought a great struggle against ISIS. We support this struggle. We are with the Kurds. Today, the HTS is massacring Alevis in Syria. We must stand against it.”

Françoise Bechier, President of the Progressive Movement, said: “This struggle must be increased in honour of all the revolutionaries killed in the four parts of Kurdistan. Attacks against the Kurds in Syria are unacceptable. We have to increase the struggle.”

After the speeches, the march started, to be followed by a rally.