HDP Amed Co-mayor Gültan Kışanak spoke at a rally in London yesterday organised by the HDP Coordination in Britain, saying the election in Turkey on June 7 is no ordinary election and that every vote counts.

Kışanak began by thanking those who had offered material and moral  support during the Presidential election campaign, adding that maintaining a link to the home country while far away was in itself an act of resistance. This is no ordinary election and it is crucial that everyone cast their vote. Every vote counts.”

‘HDP will halt the slide to authoritarianism’

Kışanak said the HDP was the only force that could prevent the authoritarian regime declaring dictatorship. She added that women and Alevis in particular should understand the importance of this election and cast their votes accordingly, as if the sultan in his palace attained extra presidential powers it would be the oppressed, and women and Alevis in particular who would suffer.  

‘These elections will potentially be an example for the Middle East’

Kışanak continued, saying that they had the potential to halt the chaos in the Middle East. “Our goal is not merely to be elected and to enter parliament. If we had wanted that we could have stood as independents. But we chose the difficult option. We are fighting for the freedom of our peoples. For us it is important to establish joint resistance, and all sections of society are ready for this. We have a strong alliance and we must succeed in having respect for each other. If we cannot do this the horrendous chaos in the Middle East will envelop us. Hence these elections are not just crucial for Turkey, but also have the potential to be exemplary for the whole Middle East. The success of the Rojava revolution will be proved on 7 June and if we succeed we will disappoint all the imperialists and the regional reactionaries.”

‘I have been involved in the struggle for years with my Alevi identity’

Kışanak said she had never concealed her Alevi identity, but had also never given up her struggle for freedom. “We must be able to carry both side by side,” she added.

Zeynel Özen, a representative of the Confederation of Alevi Associations in Europe, also spoke at the rally, saying that Alevi organisations were now powerful and that they had considered it appropriate to go into alliance with the HDP in order for achieve representation.

Özen added that they wanted to take the spirit of unity they had developed in Europe to Turkey.

Representatives of the HDP Coordination in Britain and representatives of women and young people also made speeches.

Performers Özkan Orman, Koma Sersi, Çiğdem Aslan and Koma Zelal sang their songs at the rally.