Newroz in Turkey from Nusaybin to İzmir

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Thousands of people participated in the Newroz celebrations held at Cegerxwîn Park in the district of Nusaybin in Turkey's southeastern province of Mardin today (March 21). In the celebrations, which were participated by the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır MP Feleknaz Uca and HDP Mardin Provincial Co-Chair Ali Sincar, the HDP Nusaybin District Co-Chair Ferhat Kut made a speech. In his speech, Kut reminded the audience that Newroz had not been celebrated in Nusaybin for the last two years and emphasized that celebrations were held this year despite all efforts of prevention.

During the celebrations in Nusaybin, the letter sent by the jailed Co-Mayor of Nusaybin, Sara Kaya, was also read out. In her letter, Kaya wrote, "The youngsters and children of Nusaybin who have the sun and light in their eyes, I am bowing before the resistance and willpower of yours. Even though I am not beside you, I know that you are resisting at squares with enthusiasm despite everything."

In her speech, the HDP Diyarbakır MP Uca said, "Newroz is Mazlum Doğan, it is the day of freedom. Newroz is Afrin, it is the day of Kurdish people. We are bowing before the resistance of Nisêbîna Rengîn, who did not leave their homes and land for freedom and stood up against massacres. The mothers whose hearts are filled with sorrow but who are still at this square, I am so glad that you are here!"

Van

The Newroz celebrations in Van were attended by the HDP MPs Meral Danış Beştaş and İbrahim Ayhan, the HDP Van Provincial Co-Chairs Yadişen Karabulak and Ümit Dede, the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Van Provincial Co-Chairs Ayla Tarhan and Ökkeş Kava as well as the mayors of the municipalities, to which trustees had been appointed.

Batman

During the celebrations held at the Newroz area near the New Bus Terminal in Batman, people frequently chanted the slogan, "Bijî berxwedana Efrînê" ("Long Live the Afrin Resistance").

İzmir

People gathered in İzmir early in the morning and headed towards Gündoğdu Square for the Newroz celebrations. The celebrators who entered the square were searched by security forces; the yellow-red-green kerchiefs of women were initially refused entry to the square, but upon the reaction of women, the police did not seize the kerchiefs; the flags of the Social Freedom Party Initiative (TÖPG) members were also not accepted to the square. The celebrators frequently chanted slogans for Afrin. (ŞA/SD)