UK
Kurdish protest rages against repression in London
The protest came after police raided the Kurdish Community Centre (KCC) in Haringey, north London
On the Kurdish solidarity protest in London (Picture: Guy Smallman)
Up to 2,000 people raged outside Downing Street in London on Sunday over the British state’s repression of Kurdish people.
Police raided the Kurdish Community Centre (KCC) in north London and arrested seven people across the capital last week. The KCC remains barricaded.
“We are seeking refuge from systematic oppression in Turkey,” a Kurdish protester told the rally. Our language, our culture, our political identity were oppressed. We faced persecution simply for existing.
KKC became a lifeline for many of us—to support one another and contribute meaningfully to our society. But now the British government appears to prioritise its ties with the Turkish regime.
“The scale of this operation is deeply troubling. Police patrol our streets, and homes have been littered with leaflets vilifying our whole community.
“Stand with us to demand the reopening of KCC, the release of all our friends and the end of the criminalisation of our community.”
Police arrested the seven Kurds under counter-terrorism charges for alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
“Why are you terrorising Kurds? Why are you criminalising Kurds—when you all know Kurds will never be a threat to the public here,” said a protester.
Slamming Labour, he said, “The Labour Party should know that the Kurds’ support for Labour will not continue.”
Charlie Kimber from the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) also slammed the “hypocrisy” of the British government while addressing the rally. “Who are the terrorists?” he asked. “Turkish president Erdogan is the terrorist. Binyamin Netanyahu is the terrorist. And yet our Labour government attacks those who fight back against oppression.
The Kurds—a history of agony
“The arrival of the Labour government has seen not an end to the attacks on protesters, but an acceleration. It is crucial that all of us unite. We must demand that instead of doing this favour for Erdan, the British government must break all links with the Turkish regime.”
As the demonstration marched towards Downing Street, it stopped outside Scotland Yard—and raged against the police. One protester told Socialist Worker, “This is the response from our community. We won’t take this repression.
“The prisoners need to be released, and the police need to leave us alone. Our community is being targeted—but we have done nothing wrong, nothing but demand our freedom.”
The British state is doing Erdogan’s and the Turkish state’s dirty work.
Kurds call for end to ‘attacks’ after police terror probeThe protest came after police raided the Kurdish Community Centre (KCC) in Haringey, north London
On the Kurdish solidarity protest in London (Picture: Guy Smallman)
By Arthur Townend
Sunday 01 December 2024
Sunday 01 December 2024
Up to 2,000 people raged outside Downing Street in London on Sunday over the British state’s repression of Kurdish people.
Police raided the Kurdish Community Centre (KCC) in north London and arrested seven people across the capital last week. The KCC remains barricaded.
“We are seeking refuge from systematic oppression in Turkey,” a Kurdish protester told the rally. Our language, our culture, our political identity were oppressed. We faced persecution simply for existing.
KKC became a lifeline for many of us—to support one another and contribute meaningfully to our society. But now the British government appears to prioritise its ties with the Turkish regime.
“The scale of this operation is deeply troubling. Police patrol our streets, and homes have been littered with leaflets vilifying our whole community.
“Stand with us to demand the reopening of KCC, the release of all our friends and the end of the criminalisation of our community.”
Police arrested the seven Kurds under counter-terrorism charges for alleged links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
“Why are you terrorising Kurds? Why are you criminalising Kurds—when you all know Kurds will never be a threat to the public here,” said a protester.
Slamming Labour, he said, “The Labour Party should know that the Kurds’ support for Labour will not continue.”
Charlie Kimber from the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) also slammed the “hypocrisy” of the British government while addressing the rally. “Who are the terrorists?” he asked. “Turkish president Erdogan is the terrorist. Binyamin Netanyahu is the terrorist. And yet our Labour government attacks those who fight back against oppression.
The Kurds—a history of agony
“The arrival of the Labour government has seen not an end to the attacks on protesters, but an acceleration. It is crucial that all of us unite. We must demand that instead of doing this favour for Erdan, the British government must break all links with the Turkish regime.”
As the demonstration marched towards Downing Street, it stopped outside Scotland Yard—and raged against the police. One protester told Socialist Worker, “This is the response from our community. We won’t take this repression.
“The prisoners need to be released, and the police need to leave us alone. Our community is being targeted—but we have done nothing wrong, nothing but demand our freedom.”
The British state is doing Erdogan’s and the Turkish state’s dirty work.
Several hundred demonstrators marched through central London.
Protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square (James Manning/PA)
PA Wire
13 hours ago
Kurdish protesters have gathered in central London in response to the arrest of seven people said to be associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party.
Known as the PKK, the group is outlawed by the UK Government.
Several hundred demonstrators gathered, some holding placards with “stop the attacks on Kurds” and “hands off our community centre” written on them.
Kurdish protesters have gathered in central London in response to the arrest of seven people said to be associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party.
Known as the PKK, the group is outlawed by the UK Government.
Several hundred demonstrators gathered, some holding placards with “stop the attacks on Kurds” and “hands off our community centre” written on them.
The protesters march through London (James Manning/PA)
PA Wire
The protesters – many wearing face coverings – blew whistles, chanted and played music as they made their way through the streets.
“To British people and Metropolitan Police, hands off Kurds,” one man said.
Their march followed a pre-arranged route from Trafalgar Square to Whitehall.
The Metropolitan Police have warned attendees that expressing support for the proscribed group is a criminal offence.
At one point, officers moved in and circled a male protester, but appeared to just take his details rather than arrest him.
The PKK wants an independent Kurdish state in south-east Turkey, and has been banned in the UK since 2001.
Police speak to a man (James Manning/PA)
PA Wire
Last week, seven people were arrested in London on suspicion of terrorism offences linked to it.
Searches took place at the Kurdish community centre in Haringey, north London, among other locations.
A protest took place on Thursday evening in the vicinity of Green Lanes and Stanhope Gardens, close to the community centre.
The Met said a man was arrested on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed terrorist organisation related to chanting during the protest.
London is busier than usual this weekend as protests clash with Black Friday shopping and Winter Wonderland festivities.
Chief Superintendent Joe McDonald, who is leading the policing operation, said: “We understand the strength of feeling from the Kurdish community and want to take this opportunity to remind anyone taking part in the march that the PKK is proscribed by the UK Government and expressing support for them is a criminal offence.”
Kurdish protesters demonstrate in London following seven arrests over PKK links
MORNING STAR
Sunday, December 1, 2024
HUNDREDS of Kurdish protesters demonstrated in central London today in response to the arrest of seven people said to be associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
Many wore face coverings, blew whistles, chanted and played music as they made their way through the streets following a pre-arranged route from Trafalgar Square to Whitehall.
Others held placards with “stop the attacks on Kurds” and “hands off our community centre” written on them.
“To British people and Metropolitan Police, hands off Kurds,” one man said.
The Met have warned attendees that expressing support for the proscribed group is a criminal offence.
The PKK wants an independent Kurdish state in south-east Turkey, and has been banned in Britain since 2001.
Last week, seven people were arrested in London on suspicion of terrorism offences linked to it.
Searches took place at the Kurdish community centre in Haringey, north London, among other locations, with a protest taking place on Thursday near the centre.
The Met said a man was arrested on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed terrorist organisation related to chanting during the protest.
MORNING STAR
Sunday, December 1, 2024
HUNDREDS of Kurdish protesters demonstrated in central London today in response to the arrest of seven people said to be associated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
Many wore face coverings, blew whistles, chanted and played music as they made their way through the streets following a pre-arranged route from Trafalgar Square to Whitehall.
Others held placards with “stop the attacks on Kurds” and “hands off our community centre” written on them.
“To British people and Metropolitan Police, hands off Kurds,” one man said.
The Met have warned attendees that expressing support for the proscribed group is a criminal offence.
The PKK wants an independent Kurdish state in south-east Turkey, and has been banned in Britain since 2001.
Last week, seven people were arrested in London on suspicion of terrorism offences linked to it.
Searches took place at the Kurdish community centre in Haringey, north London, among other locations, with a protest taking place on Thursday near the centre.
The Met said a man was arrested on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed terrorist organisation related to chanting during the protest.
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