URFA- 82-year-old Yusuf Berk, who saw and listened to PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan 54 years ago at the "Eastern Night" event, said: "That night, the President spoke, talked about Kurdistan, it impressed me a lot. I realized that I am Kurdish and I have been in the struggle ever since."

 

Democratic Society Congress (DTK), Democratic Regions Party (DBP), Free Women's Movement (TJA), Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and Prisoners and Convict Families Legal Solidarity Associations Federation (MED TUHAD FED) announced the birthday of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan that they will organize saplings and various activities within the scope of the 4th of April activities, and that they will hold the traditional Amara Walk as the finale.

 

82-year-old Yusuf Berk (Apê Ûsiv), who participated in the Amara March every year and met PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan at the "Eastern Night" event organized by a group of students in Istanbul, where he went as a guest 54 years ago, took part in all actions and activities despite his advancing age. Berk explained the reason for this with the words: "I got to know the President 54 years ago, when I listened to him, I realized that I was Kurdish. And I have been in a struggle ever since."

 

BERK MET WITH ÖCALAN

 

Noting that he went to the house of Kurdish politician Fevzi Şeyhanlıoğlu from Urfa to Istanbul in 1969, Berk said: "A group of university students was organizing an 'Eastern Night' event in Beyoğlu. I also attended the evening as the guest of Şeyhanlıoğlu. Feridun Yazar and Names like Apê Musa were also attending the event. Ayşe Şan was singing songs. I was speaking Kurdish, I was not even aware that I was Kurdish. I was standing at the event like a foreigner. Later, a student convoy from Ankara came, President Apo was at the front. When the president walked in, everyone was very excited. He stood up and greeted him."

 

'I HAVE BEEN IN THE STRUGGLE SINCE THAT DAY'

 

Adding that he was very impressed by Öcalan's speech at the Eastern Night, Berk continued: "The President talked about Kurdistan that night. His speech impressed me a lot. When I got to know the President, I realized that I am Kurdish, I have rights and Kurdistan exists. The realization that I am the President began with getting to know the President. I have been in the struggle since the day I met the President."

 

'LIFTING THE ISOLATION IS UP TO THE KURDS'

 

Referring to the fact that Abdullah Öcalan was brought to Turkey with an international conspiracy, Berk condemned the ongoing isolation practices in Imrali with the following words: "I was very sad when I heard that the President was caught, I cried a lot. The day will come and Kurdistan will be free. But it is entirely up to us Kurds to lift the isolation. As long as the isolation continues, Kurdistan will not be free."

 

'WE WANT TO MEET THE PRESIDENT'

 

Berk, who shared that he participated in the marches held in Amara many times, said: "I go to the President's house every April 4th. The President may not be with us, but he is with us in spirit and we are with him. April 4th is Kurdistan's day for us. Our hope is the President, there will be no solution without the President coming out, but we will be saved when the President emerges. All Kurds should come to Amara on April 4. Amara is the home of the Kurdish people. On April 4, our concern and wish will be the President's release. We now want to see the President among us with the eyes of the world."

 

MA / Mahmut Altıntaş