Thousands attended the rally organised by the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in Istanbul with the slogan "We are the solution. No to Wars and Exploitation!"

'War is waged against Kurds'

Speaking at the rally, Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) Co-Spokesperson Cengiz Çiçek emphasized that they are against war and exploitation. Çiçek said: “For years, we have said 'no to war'. We have paid a thousand and one price in the decades-long struggle to ensure a permanent democratic transformation in these lands. If there is a belief in hope, they insult you. The AKP-MHP government continues its policy of lies. Those who pretend to be peace ambassadors in the Ukraine-Russian war are imposing war on the Kurdish people.”

Freedom against war

Çiçek said: “The struggle for democracy and freedom against a regime that is hostile to the peoples is our duty. War has been waged against women, nature, Alevis, laborers, and the Kurdish people. The rich start the war, but the poor die in that war. This is the basis of our opposition to war. We do not want the rights of the workers of Turkey and the children of the Kurdish people to die in this war."

HDP Co-Chair Pervin Buldan spoke after Çiçek and said: "You came here reclaiming the slogan 'we are the solution'. That's why those who run this country from Ankara, those who say 'we are the power' in this country, should take a good look at this picture and see those who say 'we are the solution'.”

Stating that they came together once again with the peoples of Turkey and the Kurdish people after the crowded rally they held in Amed, Buldan said: “Once again, we say that we are the solution: no to wars, exploitation. The HDP has a strong word and solution power to every problem in Turkey. We are a party of struggle in this country. We believe that the only solution to all the problems and crises in this country will be realized by making the HDP's ideas and proposals come true. Because we have an honorable resistance, we have an unstoppable struggle, we have determined principles. These are the things that make us who we are and allow us to be so strong. Our principles are our resistance and our struggle. All these have made the HDP a party that has a stronger position, voice and decision in Turkey. You also have a great share and effort in this. Thank you to all of you."