At farewell ceremony for Siri Siriye: His flag will remain high

The HDP delegation member for Imrali passed away yesterday at 4:10 PM, after spending 18 days in Istanbul's Flunce Nightingale Hospital.

A farewell ceremony for Siri Siriye Önder was held at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) in Taksim Square in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, Turkey, with the participation of millions of people from various political and artistic backgrounds. Millions of people gathered in front of the Atatürk Cultural Center from the early hours of the morning, then entered the hall designated for the ceremony, and a portrait of Siri Önder was placed on the platform in the memorial hall.

The Önder family and the co-chairs of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, welcomed the guests participating in the farewell ceremony.

The farewell ceremony included a documentary on the life and struggle of Siri Siriye Önder. His daughter, Ciran Önder, then delivered a speech, expressing her pride in her father, emphasizing that he was a symbol of peace, and that his last words still ring in her ears. She said, "He didn't ask for anything from anyone, and he had all the colors and faith by his side."

In his speech, Siri Siriye's brother, Ali Önder, said that the deceased sought to end the conflict and bloodshed on Turkish soil, emphasizing that his brother's dream was to achieve peace.

Tulay Hatimoğulları, the co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), mourned her friend: "Words fail us. We want to carry the banner of peace that Siri Siriye Önder left behind. His sisters, daughters, and all representatives of civil society organizations and political parties did not abandon him in the hospital, and we will not abandon him now."

Tuncer Bakırha, the co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), emphasized: "Önder's path is the path of the party," paying tribute to all those who continued his struggle for democracy and peace.

He emphasized: "Siri's path is our path until the end. May our heads be held high. All his fellow artists and politicians, may your heads be held high. Siri was a fighter for peace, and he is a symbol of peace."

Actor Levent Kazak explained in his speech: "Siri was my friend, my colleague, and my family. There is so much to say about him. He left behind profound impressions. How he felt about the conscience of this nation, and how he truly understood his society and history, will be said later."

On behalf of the Mothers of Peace, Ruşan Donz delivered a speech in which she pledged to continue carrying his banner, adding: "We pledge to him that we will fight for justice, peace, and democracy. We pledge to him that we will achieve his heart's desire. O Messenger of Peace, we pledge to you that we will fulfill your desire."

Member of the Imrali delegation, Bervin Buldan, said: "You were everything to me. You were my companion and support. We pledge to you that we will achieve great peace for this nation. We pledge to unite the hands of the mothers of fighters and the mothers of soldiers. Farewell, Siri."

After the farewell ceremony at the Atatürk Cultural Center in Taksim, the crowd walked to the Barbaros Mosque in the Levent district of Istanbul to participate in the funeral prayers. His body will be buried in the Zincirlik Oyuyu Cemetery.

The Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (HDP) will receive condolences starting tomorrow, Monday, at the Cemal Reşit Protest Center in Istanbul and at its headquarters in the city and in other cities.

T/S
ANHA