As part of the Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Initiative's "The time has come-Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, Peace in Kurdistan" campaign, a Freedom Ship, carrying academics, politicians, artists, writers, peace advocates, representatives of the women's movement and activists from Germany, France, Switzerland, Brazil, Spain, Sweden, Greece, Italy and England, departed from Lavrio in Athens today to reach Naples.

The Freedom Ship activists arrived in Greece and started their program on Monday. The ship will be welcomed in Italy on 12 November, the date when Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan arrived from Greece to Italy 23 years ago.

Around 40 activists from various countries from Latin America to Spain, France and Italy gathered in Athens, Greece, on November 7. On the same day, the activists held meetings with several political parties and non-governmental organizations. The organizers of the campaign reported that the situation of Öcalan and the crackdown on the Kurds and their demands were discussed. KCDK-E co-chair Yüksel Koç said they hope that a similar campaign demanding freedom for Öcalan would also be introduced in Greece. During the meetings, some left-wing parties supported the proposal.

Cultural events were held in Lavrio refugee camp in the evening hours and most of the activists spent the night in the camp. Kurdish political refugees welcomed the Freedom Ship activists in two refugee camps. On November 8, towards 12:00 Athens time, hundreds of people saw the Freedom Ship activists off in a march. Slogans demanding the freedom of Öcalan were frequently chanted during the march. The activists wore t-shirts with Öcalan's image, "Free Kurdistan" and "Rojava" captions.

ACTIVISTS WILL ARRIVE IN NAPLES ON NOVEMBER 12

The march ended at the Lavrio Harbor where Besime Konca, Josef Karl Heinrich Savary and Elefteria Psihlogiou delivered speeches on behalf of the Freedom Ship activists.

Besime Konca stated that they launched the action to end the 23-year isolation under the guidance of the Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Initiative. Konca condemned the international conspiracy against Öcalan 23 years ago. She expressed that the forces involved in this conspiracy will eventually apologize to the Kurds. The Kurdish politician stated that they will arrive in Naples, Italy on November 12, which has a symbolic value.

'TIME HAS COME FOR FREEDOM FOR ÖCALAN...'

Konca remarked that they will make the resistance of Abdullah Öcalan, the guerrillas and the people their “own resistance”. She stressed that “the time has come for Öcalan’s freedom”.

Josef Karl Heinrich Savary expressed concern over the Turkish attacks against the Kurdish people and said that chemical weapons have been used in the last months.

CHEMICAL ATTACKS CONDEMNED

Speaking about the activists’ demands, Savary called for the isolation against Öcalan to be lifted, and demanded that the Turkish chemical attacks be halted and the PKK to be removed from the list of “terrorist organizations”.

Savary also remarked on Rojava, saying, “The imminent attack against Rojava must be stopped. Rojava’s autonomous administration is not just a model for the region, it is important for all peoples.”

Speaking after, Elefteria Psihlogiou remarked that Kurdish leader Öcalan is the voice of peace in the Middle East, adding, “Öcalan's freedom would bring freedom to the peoples of Kurdistan and the Middle East as well.”

Following the speeches, the activists boarded the ship, which was decorated with posters of Öcalan. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Naples on November 12.

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