This week Trump told the world he would be removing US soldiers from Northern Syria. After talks with the US, Turkey has began Operation Peace Spring. This is the name given to the invasion of Rojava and comes under the guise of creating a safe zone and helping refugees. In reality this invasion will continue to destroy Kurdish autonomy in the area and put precarious lives of refugees at risk. This operation allows Erdoğan to continue his offensive against the Kurdish people using US bought weapons. In response Vancouver held an emergency rally to defend Rojava outside the Vancouver Art Gallery on Saturday October 12. The rally was organized by a group called Emergency Rally to Defend Rojava. Over two hundred people marched and lined up around the block to listen to speakers talk and have their voices heard by the media.
Former NDP MP, Svend Robinson, seeking re-election in Burnaby North-Seymour, spoke out at the rally,“Kurds, men and women, in 2012 liberated Rojava. They drove out ISIS and what is the price that they paid? Instead of being celebrated and honoured as allies they have been ruthlessly dismayed by Trump and the Canadian government. We must speak out and end their shameful lies” This was followed by chants of “Canada speak out” and powerful words from organizers.
Svend Robinson addresses Vancouver rally to defend Rojava
“Canada and the international community must not allow a Turkish invasion to Continue”, one of the organizers said to the crowd, “and instead pursue a negotiated settlement that reflects the interests of all people of Syria. The military aggression.... will increase the suffering of millions of Syrian who have already seen eight years of war.”
The crowd broke out in further chants before marching toward the entrance of the CBC Vancouver building. As people marched along the streets chants of: “Long live Rojava”, “Turkey stop killing Kurds” and “Down with Fascist regime, down with Turkish Regime” echoed throughout the crowd. The rally ended outside the CBC building in downtown Vancouver with more words from the organizers. As socialists we oppose this invasion and support the rights of oppressed nations, like Kurdistan, to fight for autonomy.
