Speaking at the ceremony at Mersin cemetery BDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaþ said that "Kurds once again have shown they are determined to achieve a just and lasting peace. We are asking peace for a hundred years, Kurds are asking peace today, after losing three of of their children. The problem is with those - he added - who do not listen to this cry. Leyla dedicated her life to work for the freedom of her people. This brave struggle and resistance is what have brought Kurds to where they are now. I promise - he said in an emotional speech - Leyla, Sakine and Fidan that we will bring peace to this country. And a special thanks to the Kurdish youth and their mothers who paid the heaviest price"

Thousands of people gathered outside Nur Cami in Mersin waiting to pay their respect to Leyla Þaylemez, murdered in Paris on 9 January together with Sakine Cansýz and Fidan Doðan. At the mosque were BDP officials and deputies including Mersin MP Ertuðrul Kürkçü. The people will accompany Leyla Þaylemez at Mersin cemetery after the Friday Prayer.

The crowd is chanting slogans like "Þehîd namirin" (martyrs are immortals) and "Bijî Serok Apo" (Long Live president Apo).