MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

 Amed (Diyarbakır)- As the local elections in Turkey are approaching, Co-mayoral candidates of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) make great efforts to reach voters and deliver their messages. Kurdish politician Leyla Zana, who called for unity and struggle during Newroz celebrations in Amed, has been travelling to districts and villages of Amed with DEM Party’s co-mayoral candidates for two days to support their election campaign.

NuJINHA followed Leyla Zana in four districts for two days. She first went to Hazro with the DEM Party’s co-mayoral candidates for Amed, Serra Bucak and Doğan Hatun. Being welcomed by hundreds, Leyla Zana kissed women and children on their forehead and shook hands with almost everyone. In the district, she made a speech, recalling the 90s.

 ‘Everyone should organize’

In her speech, she called for unity and solidarity of the Kurdish people again. “We have brought this struggle to today by dragging ourselves up by our own bootstraps. Our duty is to build a beautiful future for these beautiful children. Mothers, young people and everyone have a lot to do. Everyone should organize to build this future. We have our own party and candidates. I cannot tell you to vote for us because I know very well that you will vote for yourselves. We have our own will and rights. We say 'enough is enough' to those who want to deceive us. We will take what we deserve. The victory will be ours.”

 She was welcomed by thousands in Hani, Pasur and Dicle

After visiting Hazro, Leyla Zana and the DEM Party’s Co-mayoral candidates went to Hani. Leyla Zana was welcomed by hundreds of women in the district. She called on people to support their will in the upcoming local elections.

On the second day, Leyla Zana went to Dicle and Pasur (Kulp) as part of the election campaign of the DEM Party despite adverse weather conditions. She was welcomed by hundreds, especially women and young people, in Dicle despite the snow. In Pasur, she was welcomed by thousands chanting “We will prevail by resisting”. In her speeches in both districts, Leyla Zana emphasized the importance of local elections for building democracy and peace and called on Kurdish voters in Istanbul to support their party.

‘Mr. Abdullah Öcalan has a big role’

Referring to the “Third Way” in her speeches, Leyla Zana said, “The Third Way is the way of peace, democracy and justice. Reflecting your strong will in the elections means peace, democracy and free life. We all have suffered a lot. The future belongs to our children; do not allow our children to suffer. We planted the seeds of the free future together here in 1991. I hope and wish that the third way would prevail. As you know, Mr. Abdullah Öcalan has a big role in building the free future.”

‘People have not lost any of their resilience’

 For two days, Leyla Zana also visited many villages in the four districts and asked each citizen to persuade people to cast their votes in the upcoming elections. NuJINHA spoke to Leyla Zana about her impressions on the upcoming local elections. “People have not lost any of their resilience,” she told us.

“Our people long for peace, democracy and freedom. They may love and embrace us as individuals. What is important is to value them, not to minimize their demands and expectations. They deserve to be valued very much. Maybe, we could not respond to their demands adequately, sometimes due to the conditions and sometimes due to the state’s policies. In Pasur, I saw a banner reading, ‘Tu li ku mayi? (Where have you been?)’. I am always among the people, I am here.”

‘We will win together’

Speaking about the upcoming local elections, Leyla Zana said, “The elections are not just about seats and positions. Municipalities are the cultural, social and political areas if we govern these municipalities in the right way, if we work with a collective spirit with contribution of our people. It is necessary to cultivate hope and have a strong stance. Our people will have the life they deserve. We will win together.”