Jovial celebration of Newroz as a kick-off in the electoral process

One day after March 18, which was decided as the official start date of the Turkish election process, Newroz was celebrated with broad participation and great enthusiasm. Newroz, which means ‘new day’ in Kurdish and heralds the coming of spring, is the celebration and resistance day of the Kurdish people. Newroz celebrations, which have been banned many times by the Turkish state throughout history, were celebrated in many cities this year with spectacular rallies organized by the Labour and Freedom Alliance.

The Newroz celebration in Istanbul, the country’s largest metropolis, which was attended by tens of thousands of people, started with the Newroz fire lit by women of the Peace Mothers Initiative, which was formed to promote peace between different ethnic groups. The celebrations, which were organized under the slogans of ‘Everywhere Newroz, everywhere freedom’ and ‘Freedom with the fire of Newroz’, were held in many cities of the country with mass participation. Especially in the Kurdish city Wan, the most spectacular Newroz of recent years was noted due to the participation of hundreds of thousands of people.

Some people who were leaving the square after the Newroz celebration in Istanbul were attacked by the police. More than 200 people were detained forcefully in the violent attack of the police. A total of 224 detainees, including 46 children, were released today. In Izmir, dozens of people were also detained on the grounds of the banners they carried at the rally.

A lawyer who went to see his clients in custody was beaten by the police. Today, those detained in Izmir were also released after their statements were taken.

Newroz, which is also celebrated with great interest by tens of thousands of Kurds living in Europe, is also expected to be held with great participation in Northern and Eastern Syria. The Cizre Region Democratic Autonomous Administration announced that Newroz will be celebrated in 7 different provinces and villages in the region. The committees formed for the organization of the celebrations continue the preliminary preparations.