JINHA

MÊRDÎN – The thousands of women who have converged on Kurdistan to kick off the World March of Women marched through the city to the accompaniment of erbane drums, in spite of police repression, and attended a concert.

The march, which kicked off in Nusaybin to honor and greet the Rojava women's revolution, marched to Diyarbakırkapı Square in the historic town. They marched with slogans in praise of the YPJ and KJA and denouncing women's massacre and rape towards Cumhuriyet Square, where they released red, green, yellow and white balloons.

Police seized the photograph series of YPJ women arranged in Cumhuriyet Square, saying "guns are not legitimate during the peace process." Police also seized photographs of Abdullah Öcalan hung for the concert afterward.

Qasimiye hosted a concert by YeldaAbbasi, with an opening speech by the co-mayor Februniye Akyol Akay.

"We've had two big days as women," said Februniye. "But barbed wire fences were placed between women. We will remove these fences. We will continue our struggle in the spirit of Arîn Mîrxan. As women, we are everywhere in life and we will continue to be."

The Mesopotamia Culture Center held a dance performance titled "Sarya," after which YeldaAbbasi began.

The concert ended with women dancing traditional Kurdish dances to Mardin'srıhab music.

(ekip/dc/cm)