Democratic mass organisations and several institutions are organising a 'Great Freedom March' between 1-15 February to demand the physical freedom of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan. The march kicked off from Kars and Van provinces today with the participation of dozens of human rights activists and politicians.

The Kars branch of the march started after a press statement participated by a large crowd including Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) Co-Spokesperson Cengiz Çiçek, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar, Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları and MED TUHAD-FED Co-Chair Kerem Canpolat.

People also supported the participants on their route through the city center. Party supporters and representatives of democratic mass organizations marched to the DEM Party Provincial Organization building where the group explained the purpose of the march to the gathered masses.

HDK Co-Spokesperson Cengiz Çiçek said, "The Kurdish question is a status issue. It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure the physical freedom of Mr. Öcalan. This is not our choice, but our obligation. Uprisings have brought us to this day. We have to ensure this spirit. If a people rise up for their freedom, they will surely achieve their freedom. Victory belongs to those who take the road. We must increase this enthusiasm every day and go all the way to victory. The system wants to distract us from our agenda. In spite of genocide and colonialism, our agenda is Mr. Öcalan. Our march will continue until Mr. Öcalan meets the peoples under free conditions. The day of the meeting will be our day of freedom."