In Hamburg, hundreds of people, including many from the anti-fascist solidarity spectrum, gathered for a demonstration against the Turkish air offensive on Rojava on Sunday. The protest could not start because the police wanted to enforce a ban on the flags of the People's and Women's Defence Units (YPG and YPJ). This led to complete incomprehension among the participants. "It was the YPG and YPJ who defended us all against the Islamic State and fought together with the USA and the Federal Republic in a coalition. Why shouldn't we show our flags?" said a spokesperson for the demonstration.

Even the hint of a lawyer present that there was a court decision in Hamburg according to which the display of the symbols of the YPG and YPJ is not forbidden, did not stop the police from using irritant gas and truncheons even against children and older women. This led to great anger among the demonstrators. With tears in her eyes, one woman said: "We will not give up our flags!

Police ignore court ruling

Again and again, the police provoked and insisted on criminalising the YPG/YPJ flags. After an hour, the march through the city centre could finally start, but without the flags. In the course of the march, however, they were taken out, which led to the demonstration being stopped again and again.

"Turkey is spreading lies"

In speeches, the people of Hamburg were told that the Turkish government was spreading "lies" in order to justify the attacks that had been launched on Saturday evening with air strikes on Kobanê in violation of international law. Despite the police harassment, the demonstration was militant and determined.