26 activists from 26 cities are staging a Long March in France to demand “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a political solution to the Kurdish question”. Launched on January 21, the march will conclude with a rally in Strasbourg on February 15, the anniversary of the international conspiracy that resulted in the capture of the Kurdish leader in Kenya and his handover to Turkey in 1999.

Activists continued their action on its fifth day in the city of Rouen.

The activists gathered at Saint Sever Square and made a press statement, after which they resumed their march, accompanied by Kurds and their international friends, as well as Kurdish politician Faysal Sarıyıldız.

The activists carried out public diplomacy by distributing leaflets in French to the people living in Rouen, explaining the purpose of the “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question” campaign and the 26-day Long March.

The activists reached Place Du Justice (Justice Square) and held a rally, which started with a moment of silence in memory of all Kurdistan Freedom Martyrs, and the martyrs of the Tishrin Dam resistance.

Politician Faysal Sarıyıldız delivered a speech, saying the following: “First of all, I respectfully greet our people and friends here. A great struggle is being waged in Rojava, at the Tishrin Dam and Qereqozax Bridge. I also salute the epic resistance there and commemorate our martyrs with respect. Bavê Teyar was martyred at Tishrin recently. To us, he means a lot. We saw an old video of him meeting with Leader Öcalan together with his brothers. We see that they got this philosophy, this will from Leader Öcalan. It is indeed a life and struggle that should be taken as an example for us. We will protect his memory.  

We are going through a very historic process. As Kurdish people, we are very close to freedom. As you know, a process had started in 2013. The Freedom Movement and the Kurdish people approached that process sincerely. While leader Öcalan wanted to carry out the process with a great historical and social responsibility, the genocidal Turkish state responded with war. They burned and destroyed our cities. They massacred our people and forced them to migrate. You all remember Mehmet Tunç. At that time, the Turkish state wanted to subjugate and bring him to his knees, but Mehmet Tunç and his comrades refused, just like Şêx Saîd and Seyîd Rıza did not kneel a hundred years ago... For 10 years, the Turkish state has been attacking the Kurds with all its might. The resistance of Leader Öcalan, the Freedom Guerrillas and the resistance of our people frustrated all these attacks. They could not finish the Kurds or the Kurdish Freedom Struggle. They said they would destroy it, but today it is the Turkish state that has reached the stage of extinction.

The ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question’ campaign launched on October 10, 2023 had a huge impact. Kurds stood up everywhere and said 'Freedom for Leader Öcalan and Kurdistan'. There were effective demonstrations, which continue today. The march we participate in today is one of them. I congratulate the friends who are marching. They are carrying out a very sacred action. Everyone who has a sense of responsibility and conscience should support this action, join the campaign and give strength. The march will end in Strasbourg on February 15, when there will be a march and rally. The 26-day Long March and the rally in Strasbourg are complementary actions. In particular, our people living in France should flock to Strasbourg. These actions in France will be decisive for the fate of Kurdistan. With this enthusiasm, sensitivity and responsibility, we expect our people and all the peoples living in France to come to Strasbourg.”

After Faysal Sarıyıldız's speech, a declaration was read in French detailing the international campaign and its purpose.