AMED – Speakers at a May Day rally in Amed (Diyarbakır) said they are aware of their responsibilities regarding the process initiated by Abdullah Öcalan, declaring: “We are ready to work for peace.”

 

A rally marking International Workers’ Day (May Day) was held at İstasyon Square under the slogan “We march toward freedom through labor for a democratic society,” organized by the Democratic Institutions Platform. T

 

The rally began with a moment of silence for those who lost their lives. During the commemoration, as the crowd sang the revolutionary Kurdish anthem “Çerxa Şoreşê,” police reportedly played music, drawing criticism from participants. The crowd responded with slogans such as “We will win by resisting” and “Şehid Namirin (Martyrs are immortal).”

 

Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, Anahtar Kaya said they were raising their voices against the devaluation of labor and human life and added: “When we say we march toward freedom through labor for a democratic society, we are expressing our will to change this system. A democratic society is built through struggle wherever labor exists—in factories, municipalities, fields and construction sites. The struggle for democracy and labor cannot be separated.”

 

Referring to Abdullah Öcalan’s call on February 27 for Peace and a Democratic Society, Kaya added: “Mr. Öcalan’s perspective for a democratic solution is a foundation for the liberation of labor. Where there is peace, resources are allocated to the people, not war. Organization grows, not repression. Prosperity increases, not poverty. We will build peace and a democratic society together. A democratic society where labor is not exploited and peoples live equally and freely is possible—and we workers will build it.”

 

‘WE WILL RESIST FOR A DEMOCRATIC COMMUNAL SOCIETY’

 

Municipal worker Müzeyyen Sevim commemorated those who lost their lives on past May Days, saying: “We are here to raise the voice of workers. Our rights are being stolen, ecology is being plundered. We say ‘enough is enough.’ Workers’ unity is our strength and the freedom of the people. We are ready for a new life. We are ready for an honorable peace. We will write history through labor.”

 

She added that workers understand their responsibility: “We will fulfill it. Everyone must embrace this manifesto. We will resist for a democratic communal society.”

 

‘WE EXPECT CONCRETE STEPS FROM THE GOVERNMENT’

 

KESK Central Executive Board member Erdal Karakuş drew attention to the Peace and Democratic Society Process and said: “A year ago, Abdullah Öcalan made a call for peace and democratic negotiations. Since then, no genuine steps toward peace have been taken. Peace is not something that can wait, it requires struggle. We expect concrete steps from the government. We are clearly ready to take responsibility, we are on the side of peace. We are ready to work for peace.”