Shops have been closed up, schools boycotted and transportation stopped in all provinces and districts in North Kurdistan where Kurds have brought life to a standstill to mark the 14th anniversary of the capture of Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), on 15 February.
Preparations are ready for marches and demos to be staged today across the Kurdish region. Black cloth banners have been hanged on houses and non-governmental organizations in many places.
People in masses have already started to gather in Diyarbakır and its four central districts, Bağlar, Kayapınar, Sur and Yenişehir. Demonstrators are seen dressed in red, as s symbol of resistance, while streets are yet dominated by silence before the mass march organized by the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP).
One other march will be staged today in the district of Ergani under the leadership of BDP district organization.
Thousands of people are fasting and dressed in black today in the district of Bismil where a massive press conference will be held following the Friday Prayer at midday.