For Rojava: Musicians Raise Thousands for Aid to Region

Trump abandoned them. The world did not.

A month and a half after Donald Trump abandoned the Kurds, musicians from around the world held shows and raised thousands in their respective regions to benefit the people of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), also known as Rojava. The effort resulted in thousands of dollars going to medical supplies for this region, which has become extremely urgent because of the Turkish invasion in this area.

Approximately 24 cities in the United States, Mexico and Portugal held music shows and other events on Nov. 30 for the Musicians’ Day of International Solidarity with Rojava. The day was organized in response to the humanitarian crisis that was created when Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of a thousand U.S. Special Forces soldiers, who had been backing the Syrian Democratic Forces, who were fighting ISIS and were responsible for eliminating its caliphate in March, allowing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, of Turkey to invade Syria, and attack the Kurds whom Erdoğan views as terrorists, because of a Kurdish separatist campaign in Turkey. In Rojava, the organization of life is based on direct democracy, gender equality and environmental sustainability, and it has been a constant fight against outside forces to maintain that.

In a statement published prior to the events, organizers took issue with the Kurds being regarded as “terrorists” and noted the long history of conflicts Turkey has been responsible for in the region. “The history of attacks by the Turkish state goes back decades,” the statement read. “In 1977 Turkey committed ethnic cleansing on the island of Cyprus, they have not left since. In 2018 Turkey invaded and occupied the Canton of Afrin in Rojava. This caused forced displacement of the Kurdish population there (often at gunpoint); saw the language changed to Turkish on street signs and municipal buildings; having Kurdish removed as an official language of instruction is schools; and the handing over of security services to the ultra-violent, ruthless, jihadist gangs and mercenaries Turkey sent in as cannon fodder to absorb casualties in place of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). This is still in effect today.”

The statement notes that these events are part of an effort to work with grassroots collectives on the ground in Rojava, notably a medical collective based there with a history of providing care, and organizers are encouraging others to join in. “Rojava has long been a beacon of hope to oppressed peoples the world over. It now faces an existential threat like it has never seen before,” the statement read. “We must do everything we can to ensure the revolution continues and keeps inspiring us all!”

While many of the events were punk shows, they also included bake sales, raffles and in the case of Phoenix, Arizona going to shows with a jar to collect money. Thousands of dollars have been raised so far and organizers are encouraging others to donate more. Other events will be held in Iowa City, IA on Dec. 11 and Kansas City, MO on Dec. 21.

Please help! To help support the people of Rojava, click on this link!