Celalettin Kesim, murdered by fascist thugs on 5th January 1980, was remembered in Berlin on the 35th anniversary of his assassination.
Celalettin Kesim was a member of The Communist Party of Turkey. He was murdered by a reactionary fascist group when he was distributing leaflets supporting the Soviet involvement siding with the young Afghan Democratic Republic fighting the US sponsored Islamic mujahideen. On the 35th anniversary of his murder, his bust which is situated in Berlin Kottbusser Tor was covered with laurels from his comrades-in-arms and friends, Turkish students and anti-fascists from Berlin. After a minute’s silence, the representatives from German Communist Party (DKP) and Communist Party, Turkey (KP) read their declarations.
Excerpt from the Communist Party declaration:
"Today we gather in front of Celalettin Kesim memorial, with the firm belief that nothing was in vain. Celalettin Kesim was an activist and a communist. The ideology that murdered him was against progressive ideology, enlightenment and the search for freedom and equality.
Today, after many years we see that this murderous ideology is gaining strength in the society. The people who desire a democratic, equal and free society are still targeted by fascists. However the reactionary forces, raised in the anti-communist organisations to fight a dirty war against socialism, are losing ground to forces desiring enlightenment, freedom and independence and they are falling out with each other only to lose their cause eventually.
Today remembering Celalettin Kesim means believing that the yearning of the oppressed workers will be answered by socialism and the true victory for the enlightenment and progressive movement will be socialism.
Today remembering Celalettin Kesim means fighting for the Socialist Turkish Republic where equality, freedom and enlightenment will reign!
Today, remembering Celalettin Kesim means raising the voice of socialism in Germany once more, loud and clear!
Long live the honourable struggle of Celalettin Kesim! Long live socialism!
After the speeches, the march was finalised at Celalettin Kesim Square. Then the attendees gathered at the Allmende Alternative Migration Policy and Cultural House to taste the soup cooked to commemorate Kesim each and every year. The gathering continued, after an introductory speech by Murat Alp, with a presentation of the evaluations of German Communist Party (DKP) and Communist Party, Turkey (KP) on current political issues.