STOCKHOLM – Thousands of Kurds and Swedes protested against the Turkish state with a march in Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden, where they organized a march for Sweden’s entry into NATO in exchange for Kurdish bargaining. The action was organized by Rojava Committee, anti-NATO groups, Rights and Socialists Party, Left Party, Swedish DKTM.
The march, which started in Norra Bangtorget Park with the slogans of “Murderer” and “Fascist Erdoğan”, continued until Medborgarplatsen square.
Many institutions and organizations gave their messages at the place of action. In the statement made on behalf of the Swedish DKTM, the silence of the CPT in the face of the isolation against Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the poison gas attacks of the Turkish state in Medya Defense Zones were protested. Amnesty International was also criticized for being passive in the face of genocidal attacks against the Kurdish people with NATO weapons.
Durry, on behalf of the Swedish Left Party youth branch, said, “We say no to making the Kurds a bargaining chip in exchange for membership in NATO. We say no to cooperating with a fascist like Erdogan, we will not bow down in the face of this imperialist policy. We say that fascist Erdogan rules Turkey with a terrorist regime and Everyone should see how he approaches the democrats and libertarians,” he said.
At the front of the march, which was attended by more than 5 thousand people, a large banner was carried with the words “No to NATO, no to cooperation with fascists”. PKK, YPG/YPJ banners and pictures of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan were carried alongside pictures and symbols exposing Sweden’s membership in NATO and expressing Erdoğan’s opposition to universal rights.
During the march, slogans such as “No to NATO membership”, “Jin jiyan azadi”, “Terrorist Erdogan”, “Killer Erdogan”, “Sweden, stop bargaining with Turkey” “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan” were chanted. A model of Erdoğan, which was hung upside down in front of the Stockholm Municipality, was passed around on the car during this walk.
Afterwards, speeches were made to the thousands who reached Medborgarplatsen and stated: “We are here. Jin jiyan azadi, we want to say that Sweden change its attitude. How can a country like Sweden, which says it is a democracy country, negotiates with a country like Turkey on the basis of interests? How can a murderer and fascist like Erdogan be invited in front of all the Kurds and libertarians in the world. Indeed, this is a place of shame. The Turkish state wants to make Sweden a partner in the violation of the human rights of the Kurdish people. Turkey and the fascist Erdogan would not dare.”
