In Lannester, Lorient, activists started a 26-day “Long March” 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.

Speaking at the press statement, CDK-F (Kurdish Council of France) Co-Chair Şahin Polat noted that Öcalan has been resisting in İmralı Island Prison for 26 years, saying the following:

“Today, we are starting our 26-day Long March with 26 comrades to mark the 26th year of Leader Apo's (Abdullah Öcalan’s) captivity. Leader Apo was handed over to the Turkish state as a result of an international conspiracy. While the Turkish state only plays the role of a guardian, the real perpetrators and the addressees of the solution are the conspiratorial forces. They have to solve the problem not with token decisions or investigations, but with steps to ensure the physical freedom of Leader Apo. The conspiracy was thwarted by the resistance of Leader Apo, the struggle of freedom fighters and the resistance of our people. We hereby reiterate our demand for freedom for Leader Apo and a solution to the Kurdish question.”

In her speech, KCDK-E (European Kurdish Democratic Societies Congress) Co-Chair Zübeyde Zümrüt emphasized that Abdullah Öcalan's freedom is imminent and said: “Dear friends, dear patriotic people, we are going through a historic process. We are at a time when the struggle needs to increase more than ever. The Kurdish people are experiencing the most powerful time in their history. Öcalan is the leader of the Kurdish people and all oppressed peoples of the world. He is the architect of the Rojava Revolution. In Rojava, a women-led revolution has taken place and Kurdish women defeated ISIS barbarians. Today, the Turkish state is implementing genocidal policies to eliminate women's libertarian philosophy in Rojava. Civilians, journalists and Kurdish cultural figures are being targeted. We call on the international community not to remain silent against the Turkish state.”

Zübeyde Zümrüt stated that they held meetings with many institutions, civil society organizations, parliamentarians, mayors and council members before the launch of the long march. Public meetings, home visits and various activities will be organized throughout the march, she added, inviting all people and friends to join the action.

After the press statement, the march started with great enthusiasm. It will end with a rally and march in Strasbourg on February 15.