Amuda cancels Labor Day celebrations in solidarity with prisoners, demands their immediate release

The Amuda City Council organized a protest on Thursday at the Free Woman Roundabout, demanding the release of prisoners held by the Syrian Interim Government and commemorating International Workers' Day, with the participation of the prisoners' families.

The protesters carried pictures of the detained prisoners, along with banners on which "The detainees are our dignity," "Death to treachery and betrayal," "The prisoners are a red line," "We are not prisoners... we are prisoners of betrayal," "A prisoner is a human being with the right to life and freedom," "We demand the immediate release of the prisoners and detainees," "Behind bars are hearts that beat with dignity," "Freedom is not a dream but a right for every prisoner" were written. The protesters chanted, "We want our detainees… Long live Rojava."

After holding a minute of silence in tribute for the martyrs of freedom, Tariq Daqouri; the co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Office in Amuda, read a statement from the Amuda City Council, which stated, "Loyal sons and daughters of our people, we used to commemorate Labor Day with celebrations every year; however, this year, based on our national and moral responsibility, we have limited ourselves to commemorating this occasion in solidarity with our prisoners held by the Interim Government, and to focusing on their just cause. These prisoners are not bargaining chips, but rather a matter of dignity that cannot be manipulated or exploited."

The statement added, "We reaffirm the centrality of the issues of SDF prisoners to the Interim Government in Damascus, and defending them is defending the values for which they struggled for a more just future for the peoples of the region."

The statement emphasized that the issue of prisoners is not a matter for political maneuvering or exploitation, categorically rejecting all attempts to use their suffering to distort the truth or sow discord within society. It stated, "True loyalty to the prisoners lies in sincerely defending their cause and working diligently for their freedom, far from inflammatory speeches and narrow agendas."

The statement concluded by offering its congratulations on International Workers' Day, saying, "We salute with reverence all those who have sacrificed for freedom, and we reaffirm our commitment to continuing the struggle for a just and democratic society where human dignity is upheld."

ANHA