The Freedom for Öcalan Vigil was launched in front of the Council of Europe building in Strasbourg on 25 June 2012, and is taken over every week by a different group of Kurdish activists or organisation coming from all over Europe. 

Last week, Kurdish women from Scandinavian countries took over the Vigil and handed over this week, the 375th week, to members of the Democratic Alevi Federation (FEDA).

The group includes FEDA members Jinda Deniz, Derya Tosun, Şahin Polat and Mustafa Aslan.

Speaking on behalf of FEDA members, Sahin Polat said that to reach the goal of the Vigil "it is important that everyone around Europe take action in their own area so to reach the highest number of people."

Polat said that as Alevis it is important to deal with "the concept of denial and extermination" and added that "the mentality [of a State] imposing isolation on the leader of the Kurdish freedom struggle, would also turn and impose it to the Alevis."

Denial and destruction is "not only imposed on the Kurds or Alevis - pointed out that Polat - but it is directed to all the people and belifefs in the region."

Addressing all Alevis, Polat said: "This mentality, which ignores the will of millions has to change. And wherever we are, we should all carrying out this just struggle."

Polat added that everyone should demonstratet against the last violation of Kurdish will, the appointment by the state of trustees to the HDP-run municipalities of Amed, Van and Mardin.