Thousands of Kurds from across Europe are joining a mass rally in Strasbourg demanding freedom for Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and protesting the increasing AKP fascism in Kurdistan and seizure of Kurdish municipalities through the appointment of trustees.

WURTZ: WE STAND BY THE KURDISH PEOPLE

Speaking at the rally, Francis Wurtz, Honorary European Member of Parliament, former President of the parliamentary Confederal Group of the European United Left /Nordic Green Left, said they stood by the Kurdish people.

MOSLEM: KURDS RESIST IN FOUR PARTS OF KURDISTAN

Speaking later, Rojava's PYD (Democratic Union Party) Co-President Saleh Moslem saluted the resistance of the Kurdish people, remarking that Kurdistan fighters are giving a remarkable struggle in Rojava, Shengal and Northern Kurdistan today. He stressed that freedom will be attained only through struggle, and that resistance will continue till the freedom of the Kurdish people and Öcalan.

Moslem recalled that ISIS gangs had started their attacks on Kobanê on September 15, two years ago, and that these attacks had been defeated by a historic resistance of 144 days.

Describing Öcalan as a leader that organised and led all the resistance across Kurdistan, Moslem called on all the peoples demanding their rights to resist in this scope.

Moslem pointed out that the Turkish government did not only attack Rojava but also obstructed any democratic and peaceful struggle and method in Northern Kurdistan, which left the Kurdish people no choice but to resist.

Moslem ended his speech by calling on the European countries that seek to protect their values to stand by Öcalan and the Kurdish people.

KARTAL: ÖCALAN IS THE WILL OF PEOPLE

KONGRA-Gel Co-President Remzi Kartal also spoke at the rally and condemned the isolation Turkey imposes on Abdullah Öcalan whom he described as the will of the Kurdish people.

Kartal underlined that Öcalan's situation is very critical, and called on people to enhance their protests for the Kurdish leader.

Pointing to the attacks targeting the will of the Northern Kurdistan people, Kartal stressed that the Kurdish people will not be intimidated by these attacks.

TJK-E: WE CALL FOR FURTHER SUPPORT TO ÖCALAN

Speaking on behalf of the Kurdish Women's Movement in Europe (TJK-E), Dilşa Osman put emphasis on Öcalan's efforts for the freedom of the Kurdish people.

Osman underlined that they will not tolerate the captivity of Öcalan, and called upon the Kurdish women to step up the struggle against his isolation.

A representative from French Young Communists' Union, a constituent of French Left Party, vowed to stand by the Kurdish people against pressures aimed at them, and highlighted Öcalan's philosophy that proposes peace, freedom and co-existence of peoples.

The rally will end with music performances of Kurdish artists.