The vigil, which began in the Martyr Rûstem Cûdî Refugee Camp in Maxmur on 20 July 2023 to demand the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan, continues on its 861st day with the 168th group taking over.

The handover ceremony held at the Maxmur Martyrs’ Families Institution began with a moment of silence for those who lost their lives in the Kurdish freedom struggle. After a minute's silence, a statement was read by youth representative Gule Urek on behalf of the 167th group.

The statement read: “As students of Şehîd Deniz Fırat Middle School, we send our greetings and love to Öcalan. We salute his struggle and resistance. With his manifestos, Öcalan has been a light for us. The purpose of our action is Öcalan’s physical freedom. As the children and students of Öcalan, we will continue our actions until our Leader is free.”

Following the speeches, the 168th group took over the vigil, chanting “Bijî Serok Apo” (Long live Leader Apo) and “Bê Serok Jiyan Nabe” (No life without a leader).