Peaceful Vigil is Threatened with Violence

At about noon hour today, three Turkish speaking males approached the ongoing Kurdish
Vigil at the "Cell of Atonement" in Sheridan Park and after engaging in a verbal exchange
threatened to be back tonight to "dismantle it."

A group of Kurds and their American friends have been keeping a silent vigil for the last 57
days in a replica of Turkish prison cell, "Cell of Atonement", across from the Turkish
Ambassador's residence in Washington, DC, to highlight and effect the freedom of four
Kurdish parliamentarians who have been imprisoned for the last seven years and 57 days.

The above referenced individuals first wanted to know who had given us the permit to
engage in "anti Turkey" activities.  They then demanded to see our permit.  When
confronted with the question of their own identity, they said, "We are from the Park Police."

When they were asked to show their own identification papers, they engaged in some
obscenities and threatened to be back tonight to "dismantle it".

The Park Police were immediately contacted and the incident was recorded.

"This Vigil is not anti-Turkey," said Kani Xulam, one of the organizers of the "Cell of
Atonement".  Our most prominent sign is a mural of scenery from Kurdistan with the
following caption: "Turkey, Catch up with the World; Free the Kurds".

"If Turkey frees its Kurds, it will also free itself from the burden of oppressing them.  This is
the only way onward and upward for a country that wants to remain competitive in the
world.  Any other course will retard Turkey and doom its future," added Mr. Xulam.
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The Kurdistan Observer
www.kurdistanobserver.com