DTK Co-chair Selma Irmak spoke at the Newroz celebration yesterday on the Suruç-Kobanê border, which was attended by hundreds of thousands of people, replying to Turkish President Erdoğan’s comment that: ‘there is no Kurdish question’, saying no one could deny their language and identity. Irmak said: "First we will free our leader, then the whole of our region.”

A video message was sent from Kobanê by the YPJ, which was greeted by the slogan: "Long live the resistance of the YPJ/YPG".

‘Oppressed people are again rising up’

HDK Co-spokesperson and HDP Mersin MP Ertuğrul Kürkçü said the Rojava Revolution had awoken all oppressed peoples, and that the freedom struggle of the Kurds had affected everyone. He also mentioned the elections of 7 June, saying they would exceed the threshold and transform Turkey.

Muslim: This success is everyone’s

Kobanê Canton Prime Minister Enver Muslim emphasised that the struggle waged by the YPG/YPJ fighters in Kobanê had been one for humanity, and that support had come from all over the world. He said the system they had established in Rojava was the most suitable one for Syria.

Following Muslim HDP Co-president Figen Yüksekdağ began her speech by celebrating the victory in Kobanê. She added that the borders no longer had any validity and that the resistance in Kobanê would spread all over the world.

'The peoples of Turkey will not accept your charity’

Yüksekdağ recalled Erdoğan's words regarding the victory in Kobanê when he said: "What victory, why are you celebrating? Kobanê has been demolished.” She emphasised that everyone had a duty to help in the re-construction of the city.

HDP Co-chair said: "This people are not dependent on your charity, Mr President. There is not long to wait. We will wage a struggle and succeed on 8 June.”

At the celebration there was a virtual army of reporters. After the speeches, the Mesopotamia Cultural Centre choir enthused the crowds by singing revolutionary songs in Kurdish and Turkish.