JINHA

 AMED – Millions are currently in the Newroz field of Diyarbakır celebrating the historic 2015 Newroz in the world's largest celebration of the Kurdish national holiday. Speeches are currently ongoing, with a message from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan expected soon.

Above the stage hangs a massive sign reading "enough is enough, freedom for the leader Apo" and signs reading "welcome to Kobanê" and "welcome to Shengal." Posters of those martyred in Rojava and Shengal and flags of Kurdish organizations wave throughout the nearly endless crowd in Kurdistan's main city.

Thousands of people began to flow to the Newroz square with the first light of day. Officials of the Democratic Societies Congress (DTK) conducted the searches at the entrance. Songs and slogans celebrating the Kobanê resistance and PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan echoed through the square, decorated with red, green and yellow pennants.

Hundreds of foreign and local guests are present today for Newroz. The speeches are being translated simultaneously into 6 foreign languages.

Political parties, non-governmental organizations, foundations and associations from all parts of Kurdistan, Middle East and European countries; secretaries of embassies of 25 countries including the USA, England, France, Australia; 35 different delegations from the Middle East and European countries; a crowded delegation of all three Rojava cantons and PYD (Democratic Union Party) co-chair Asya Abdullah are among the guests. PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan's sister Fatma Öcalan is present as well.

The guests from Europe are Danish MPs Nicolaj Villumsen and Soren Sondergaard; Danish Alevis Union Head Feramuz Acar; Spain's Basque Autonomous region's MEP Josu Juaristi and Basque Spain Senate Member Jon Inarritu; French New Anti-Capitalist Party Speaker Olivier Besancebot; 16 academics and authors from Catalonia; and Swiss Social Democrat Party MPs Yılmaz Kerimo and Serkan Köse. The families of Kobanê and Gezi martyrs are present as well, including the father of the child killed by police, Berkin Elvan. Representatives of opposition parties, NGOs, Alevi organizations and labor unions are also taking part in the celebration.

The celebration kicked off with with one minute of silence in memory of all those who lost their lives in the struggle of freedom and democracy. Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Provincial Co-Chair Ali Şimşek made the opening speech on behalf of the Organizing Committee.

The Mesopotamia Culture Center (MKM) International Revolution Songs Chorus took the scene, singing revolutionary songs in multiple languages, to kick off the celebrations. Soon afterward, the march coming from the Cizre Botan region of Kurdistan demanding Freedom for Öcalan arrived at the celebrations.

PYD Co-Chair Asya Abdullah is currently addressing the crowd.

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