Arwand Rizgar Condemns “Betrayal of October 16” in Manchester Demonstration
MANCHESTER, UK October 15, 2025 Kurdish activist Arwand Rizgar delivered a powerful speech on Wednesday during a large demonstration held in front of the Iraqi Consulate in Manchester, calling for justice, remembrance, and unity in the face of what he described as the “dark legacy” of the events of October 16, 2017.
The protest organized by members of the Kurdish diaspora brought together activists, students, and families carrying Kurdish flags and signs demanding accountability for the loss of Kurdish-held territories eight years earlier.
Rizgar as an organiser of the event, opened his remarks with “warm patriotic greetings and civil struggle,” emphasizing that the gathering symbolized a collective commitment to keeping historical memory alive.
“Today we have gathered and are demonstrating to say to ourselves, to our nation, and even to our enemies that we will never forget the betrayal of 16 October,” he declared.
“Instead, we will always talk about it as a dark and unlucky day for the people and territory of Kurdistan.”
He stressed that the purpose of the demonstration was not only to remember the past, but to educate future generations about the significance of the events that unfolded after tensions between Erbil and Baghdad escalated in 2017.
“We want to tell our youth and future generations that we will never forget those days when our land and our nation were sold out, and the martyrs’ blood was underestimated,” he said.
“They disrespected heart-burned mothers and heart-wounded fathers.”
Rizgar highlighted the territorial losses suffered by Kurdish forces during the aftermath of October 16.
“We will not forget the day when 50% of Kurdistan’s land was handed over to the militias and gangs of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and the Arab chauvinists,” he stated.
He then directed sharp criticism toward those he holds responsible for the loss of Kirkuk and other disputed areas.
“We tell the perpetrators of 16 October that you are not politicians, but gangs and businessmen who are trading with the land, the blood, and the history of the nation,” Rizgar declared.
The crowd responded with applause and chants in support of Kurdish unity and resistance.
Organisers said the demonstration aimed to raise international awareness about the long-term impact of the events of 2017, as well as to show solidarity with families affected by displacement, loss of land, and political consequences in the Kurdistan Region.
Officials from the Iraqi Consulate did not issue a statement in response to the demonstration.