Kurds organised a three-day march in Martigues commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône region in southern France to protest the International Conspiracy that led to the capture of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan at its 20th anniversary, and the isolation regime imposed on him by the Turkish state. The march also expressed solidarity with the Kurdish hunger strike resistance led by DTK Co-chair and HDP MP Leyla Güven.

The march, which kicked off from the town hall, was participated by 147 people from Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Draguignan and Toulouse. The activists condemned the isolation of Öcalan, the February 15 international conspiracy, Turkish state’s occupation threats against Rojava and voiced support for the Kurdish hunger strikers.

The protest ended with a rally at the Joliette Square which was participated by thousands of people.

The rally began with a minute’s silence in memory of the martys, followed by speeches in the name of DTKM and Arin Mirkan Women’s Council.

Following speeches were made by the Association of Solidarity with Kurds and Freedom Secretary General Joel Dutto, French Communist Party International Spokesperson Josiane Durrieu, Left Party National Spokesperson Helène Lacacheux, Marseille Human Rights Association President Bernard Eynaud, Association of Solidarity with Kurds Spokesperson for Toulouse, Pierre and NPA 13 Representative for Marseille, Jean Marie Battini.

After the speeches, the rally ended with slogans “Biji Serok Apo” [Long Live Leader Öcalan] and “Biji berxwedana Leyla Güven” [Long Live Leyla Güven’s resistance”.