Turkish nationalists attack Rojava solidarity rally

November 3, 2019
Issue 
Some participants in the November 3 Gold Coast rally in support of the Rojava Revolution. Photo: Alex Bainbridge

A peaceful rally on the Gold Coast, Queensland, in solidarity with the Rojava Revolution in northern Syria was attacked by Turkish chauvinists on November 3.

Rally spokesperson Michele Harding told Green Left Weekly the rally had been called to support the people of northern Syria and oppose Turkey's invasion.

"We just want to raise awareness and let people know what's happening because there is no ceasefire, despite [media claims]."

Rojava, a de facto autonomous region comprised of Kurds, Arabs and other ethnic minorities, is self-governed through the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, which operates under the principles of ethnic and religious inclusion, feminism, ecology and social equality.

Threatened by this revolutionary democratic experiment on its border, Turkey, which also has a significant Kurdish population, launched an invasion of Rojava on October 9.

The Kurdish people do not have a voice on the world stage, Harding said, adding it is our duty to support the people who fought back against ISIS.

Police arrested the Turkish chauvinists who attacked the rally, but not before several people sustained minor injuries and camera and sound equipment was damaged.

The rally was organised by the Kurdish Association of Queensland, which had obtained all the necessary approvals for the protest to go ahead.

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