A 26-day “Long March” was launched in France on 21 January to demand the freedom of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan and a solution to the Kurdish question. The march draws public attention to Öcalan’s 26 years of captivity in the İmralı Island Prison in the Sea of Marmara in Turkey. 26 people will march through 26 different cities in France and conclude the action with a march and rally in Strasbourg on February 15, the anniversary of the international conspiracy that resulted in the capture of the Kurdish leader in Kenya and his handover to Turkey in 1999.

On the 8th day of the protest, the activists gathered in front of the Governor’s Office in Grigny commune, welcomed by Kurdish citizens and their friends. During their march to the town hall, they handed out leaflets providing information about the international campaign “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question” and the purpose of the 26-day Long March.

A press statement made by the activists in front of the town hall said: "We are in Grigny on the eighth day of our action. Throughout our march, we have been met with intense support and interest from our people, friends and the public, for which we express our sincere gratitude. The march will be concluded with a central rally in Strasbourg on 15 February, when we will shout our demand for the freedom of Leader Öcalan. We, the Kurdish people, will continue our campaign and actions until the conditions for the physical freedom of Leader Öcalan are provided. His freedom is the freedom of all of us. If we want to leave a free life for our future and for our children, we need to ensure the freedom of Leader Öcalan. We are the ones who will determine this through our struggle. The Strasbourg rally on 15 February is of great importance. We ask you to contribute to it by informing everyone around you and ensuring the strongest participation in the demonstration.”