Thousands Celebrate Newroz in Diyarbakır
Hundreds of thousand people gathered in Diyarbakır this morning to celebrate the arrival of spring equinox, a major celebration among Turkey's Kurds also known as Newroz. PKK leader Öcalan's message to Kurdish people was read both in Kurdish and Turkish.
Hundreds of thousand people gathered in Diyarbakır this morning demanding "Freedom to Öcalan, Status to Kurdish people", a slogan that was adopted by several other cities across Turkey.
Peace and Democracy Party deputies Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan read PKK leader Öcalan's message to Kurdish people both in Turkish and Kurdish.
Millions of people are expected to join the celebrations in Diyarbakır province. Peace and Democracy Party reportedly hired 5,000 guards to provide security.
A special media platform, capable of housing 400 journalists, has been set up.
From early hours of the morning, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality provided free shuttle service from 39 different location to the celebration area. (NV/BM)