The Kurdish community called a snap action on November 15 at Sydney Town Hall to demand freedom for imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan.
Öcalan has been in prison for nearly 27 years, on Imrali Island in the Sea of Marmara, enduring torture and solitary confinement.
An international campaign is demanding that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan release Öcalan.
A rally of thousands, from all parts of Europe, marched in Cologne, Germany, on November 8, calling for his release.
From prison, Öcalan has led the campaign for lasting peace in Türkiye, to stop the fighting between Turks and the Kurdish community.
The Kurdish militants in Türkiye have given up their arms, with a promise by Erdogan for Öcalan’s freedom. To date, Erdogan has reneged on his promise.
Öcalan developed a philosophy of grassroots democracy, women’s liberation and ecological balance as a foundation for peaceful coexistence of all peoples in the region, despite the differences in religion and culture.
The Kurds want Öcalan to be their chief negotiator in the peace process, but this cannot be done from prison.