In 2008, the ship carrying Cynthia was rammed by Israeli forces.
Her boat was carrying crayons, paint, coloring books, pencils and paint brushes.
22nd June 2009 Video Free Gaza News Press Conference
Two of the organizers, Huwaida Arraf and Greta Berlin, as well as the Honorable Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Congresswoman from Georgia, held a press conference yesterday in Doha, Qatar. All three called on the world to recognize Palestinian human and civil rightsrights that have been denied for 61 years.
In three days, the Free Gaza movement sails 240 miles from Cyprus to Gaza, its eighth mission to break Israels draconian siege on 1.5 million Palestinians there. In the holds of the FREE GAZA and the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY will be tons of cement, and suitcases full of toys, crayons and coloring books for the children, all items banned by Israels government.
Speaking to Al Jazeera and eight other news organizations, Ms Arraf emphasized, International donors pledged over $4bn to rebuild Gaza, yet none of them are doing a thing about the fact that Israel allows no building supplies into the territory. So 36 of us from 16 countries are leaving on Thursday to tell the world to do something.
The group intends to go at least three times over the summer; June 25th, July 14th, and August 16th, near the anniversary of the first successful voyage.
Update: 07.02.09
Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire Speaks from Israeli Jail Cell After Arrest on Boat Delivering Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
VIEW VIDEO HERE
Irish Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire speaks to us from her jail cell in Israel. She was taken into custody along with twenty others, including former US Congress member Cynthia McKinney, when the Israeli military boarded their ship in international waters as it tried to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. -- DemocracyNow.org
Cynthia McKinney calls WBAIX from Israeli prison
The latest news:
"Israel on Wednesday reportedly sent home two of the 21 people taken aboard a ship that attempted to break through a blockade and deliver supplies to Gaza.-- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Authorities released an American filmmaker and a Danish human rights activist, according to freegaza.org, the web site of the Free Gaza Movement, which organized the voyage opposing the blockade."
___________________
CYNTHIA MCKINNEY--GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES--PRESS RELEASE
Green Party: President Obama and the US State Dept. must demand release of Cynthia McKinney and 20 other human rights activists on Free Gaza relief boat seized by Israeli gunboats
GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATEShttp://www.gp.org
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Contacts:
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator, 202-518-5624, cell 202-904-7614, mclarty@greens.org
Starlene Rankin, Media Coordinator, 916-995-3805, starlene@gp.org
READ PRESS RELEASE HERE.
Update 07.02.09 6:57pm
Kidnapped Passengers from the Spirit of Humanity include: Khalad Abdelkader, Bahrain
Khalad is an engineer representing the Islamic Charitable Association of Bahrain.
Othman Abufalah, Jordan
Othman is a world-renowned journalist with al-Jazeera TV.
Khaled Al-Shenoo, Bahrain
Khaled is a lecturer with the University of Bahrain.
Mansour Al-Abi, Yemen
Mansour is a cameraman with Al-Jazeera TV.
Fatima Al-Attawi, Bahrain
Fatima is a relief worker and community activist from Bahrain.
Juhaina Alqaed, Bahrain
Juhaina is a journalist & human rights activist.
Huwaida Arraf, US
Huwaida is the Chair of the Free Gaza Movement and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.
Ishmahil Blagrove, UK
Ishmahil is a Jamaican-born journalist, documentary film maker and founder of the Rice & Peas film production company. His documentaries focus on international struggles for social justice.
Kaltham Ghloom, Bahrain
Kaltham is a community activist.
Derek Graham, Ireland
Derek Graham is an electrician, Free Gaza organizer, and first mate aboard the Spirit of Humanity.
Alex Harrison, UK
Alex is a solidarity worker from Britain. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Denis Healey, UK
Denis is Captain of the Spirit of Humanity. This will be his fifth voyage to Gaza.
Fathi Jaouadi, UK
Fathi is a British journalist, Free Gaza organizer, and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.
Mairead Maguire, Ireland
Mairead is a Nobel laureate and renowned peace activist.
Lubna Masarwa, Palestine/Israel
Lubna is a Palestinian human rights activist and Free Gaza organizer.
Theresa McDermott, Scotland
Theresa is a solidarity worker from Scotland. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Cynthia McKinney, US
Cynthia McKinney is an outspoken advocate for human rights and social justice issues, as well as a former U.S. congressperson and presidential candidate.
Adnan Mormesh, UK
Adnan is a solidarity worker from Britain. He is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Adam Qvist, Denmark
Adam is a solidarity worker from Denmark. He is traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.
Adam Shapiro, US
Adam is an American documentary film maker and human rights activist.
Kathy Sheetz, US
Kathy is a nurse and film maker, traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.
13 comments:
EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION
Against Israeli Piracy & Kidnapping
Free Cynthia McKinney and all kidnapped human rights workers!
WEDNESDAY 4-6 PM
at the
ISRAELI MISSION
800 Second Avenue
(Second Avenue @ 43rd St.)
Last night, Israeli Occupation Forces attacked and boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Noble laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The passengers and crew are being forcibly dragged toward Israel.
The seizure of humanitarian supplies and abduction of human rights workers is an act of piracy, a crime under international law. When the boat was attacked, it was not in Israeli waters and was on a human rights mission to Gaza. Israel's deliberate and premeditated attack on an unarmed boat in international waters is a clear violation of international law. Join us tomorrow from 4 to 6 pm at the Israeli Mission to demand an immediate and unconditional release of the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, all 21 human rights workers, and the humanitarian supplies.
According to an International Committee of the Red Cross report released yesterday, the Palestinians living in Gaza are "trapped in despair." Thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed earlier during Israel's December/January massacre are still without shelter despite pledges of almost $4.5 billion in aid, because Israel refuses to allow cement and other building material into the Gaza Strip. The report also notes that hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of their patients due to Israel's disruption of medical supplies.
Let the Humanitarian Aid through!
Free Cynthia McKinney and all kidnapped human rights workers!
Stop the blockade of Gaza!
Cynthia mckinney is anti jewish i have a link where she was being funded by islamic groups so her going over to israel is no surprise to me i hope they throw away the key on her she needs jesus! On the situation in iran i have never heard such weak retoric coming from a US president since jimmy carter, since when is the leader of the free world scared to take a stand for freedom i suppose he was waiting for the outcome, i here that hillary clinton told him to take a stronger stance on iran i guess she is the president now. Now that north korea knows that he is scared to take a stance they are going to shoot missiles toward hawaii on the fourth of july, they feared bush but they just jeer this guy, with all of this going on i guess obama does not have time to blame bush, obama with his government healthcare plan that is not going to pass or his disasterous cap and trade bill the i hate america president and his wife will only make 2010 a republican sweep in congress and he will be a one term president good ridens!
Mr. AL that old *he/she is anti-semitic* has kinda lost its bite. For a change, instead of baseless accusations, let's hear some facts.
BTW, if you want to defend the Jewish faith, be sure to disassociate it from the murderous, criminal and reviled Israeli regime.
For myself, I respect people of all different religions and faiths, including the Jews; many of whom are against the actions of the Israelis.
Wow, you just managed to squeeze in a whole month of Bill O'Reilly, Shawn Hannity and Glenn Beck in one long rant. Congrats! But don't you know that watching the "Fake News" will shrink your brain cells?
Actually you can see cynthia mckinney islamic and muslim funders on danielpipes.org the woman is very bought. CNN msnbc are state run media and you will never get a balanced view on anything that this current administration does. Are you in the green party?
Here is the problem, you respect people of different religions but the governments of countries around israel do not respect jewish faith, everyone does not have that live and let live free spirit. I guess you are not aware of the war when iraels men and women had to fight several islamic countries at one time in order to survive and they won, active duty age in israel is 16 to 52 for a reason! If israel allows iran to build nuclear weapons can israel survive a nuclear weapons hit? How many jews will die this time? Irans head of state said he will destroy israel, israels military is aggressive because it has to be in order to survive, beta israel are black african jews mostly from ethiopia who are persecuted in ethiopia and are given citizenship in israel. Are you a muslim? Basically you are saying throw israel under the bus. What you fail to mention is that the gaza strip is used by hamas to fire rockets into israel and the people of palestine are aiding hamas a terrorist organization. The people of israel need a strong leader in the face of immenent attack, not some weak willed coward who would allow terrorist attacks on its own soil to appease people around the world who would rather see israel destroyed due to not being aggressive enough. A preemptive strike on iran is necessary for israel to survive as a state. If obama was president of America in the 1940s we would probably be speaking german if you were not turned into a lamp shade or soap!
If you buy the logic that anyone with Islamic/Muslim funders are bought than this would apply to most every politician you could name. Wouldn't it? That would include Republicans, Democrats, Independents and Greens alike.
I got a chuckle out of your statement that CNN is a state run media, in light of the fact that you watch Fake News. Fox News was the Bush administration's propaganda instrument and it continues to represent Republican's right wing agenda without regard for the facts, the truth or some semblance of objectivity.
Politically the Greens are gold as far as I am concerned.
The fact is, governments of countries of the West and war contractors are the only parties "winning" this Middle East conflict. If Iran is attacked by Israel and *defeated*, than conflict will arise for Israel and the US elsewhere. That is the nature of a militaristic society. There always has to be an enemy.
It was America's most decorated soldier, US Marine Corp Major General Smedley D. Butler, who said, "War is a Racket." It's available on Amazon.com.
The losers are primarily the citizens, including the Palestinians and Israelis. Also a loser is the American citizen who see their tax dollars going to pay the 3 billion plus in aid that the US government sends to Israel every year.
MLK reveals that the US pays an even higher price ethically: "A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than of programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death."
It is kind of naive to think that if America stops building up its defense department that some other country would not step up and impose its will on the world or impose its views unopposed hint china and russia, if we do not step up and be a leader someone else will, liberals never like to hear that statement but it is true and as the leader of the free world our military needs to be stronger than the next guy, www.globalfirepower.com
"leader of the free world?" Really, that's a platitude that is sounding very hollow and meaningless.
The US leads the world in dissemination of arms and violence. For me this distinction does not make for great leadership. Militarism is the means for domination via violence, repression and the stifling of dissent. Militarism to me is the very opposite of what "freedom" means.
MILITARISM: a political orientation of a people or a government to maintain a strong military force and to be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.
FREEDOM: the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints.
Notice that militarism does not mention freedom and human rights for its citizens or others beyond its borders as a goal.
It was Dwight D. Eisenhower the 34th President of the US and a 5-star general in the US Army who said:
"Throughout America's adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations. To strive for less would be unworthy of a free and religious people. Any failure traceable to arrogance, or our lack of comprehension or readiness to sacrifice would inflict upon us grievous hurt both at home and abroad."
While Eisenhower said: "A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction."
He also said:
"...we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Added to this, three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than the net income of all United States corporations.
This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence -- economic, political, even spiritual -- is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."
... Disarmament, with mutual honor and confidence, is a continuing imperative. Together we must learn how to compose differences, not with arms, but with intellect and decent purpose."
Eisenhower's fears have come to pass. Read "The Unwarranted Influence of America's Global "Defense" Industry."
Note that so-called *enemies* or *rivals* of the US "hold prime contracts with [the] DoD", including Iran, China, Cuba, North Korea, Russia & Syria.
The above referenced article notes: “*Prime* doesn’t count contracted individuals and subcontracted companies."
I got a little chuckle out of your statements, i suppose that the citizens of south korea would disagree with you especially when south koreans are a full six inches taller on average than north koreans due to malnutrition from an oppressive regime, i am sure the citizens of france would disagree with you when infact the United States liberated france from nazi germany during world war 2. Ronald reagan liberated eastern europe from the grips of communist dictatorship by winning the cold war against the ussr, when great britain was being bombarded by germany and wanted guns for its citizens to be able to protect themselves from an impending german invasion, by the way the 1921 gun control act imposed by the british government left them disarmed the United States without question delivered guns to the british people. I suppose that saddam hussien was a mild dictator who should have been left alone, or the taliban should be left alone to continue terror, or adolf hitler should have been left to conquer europe and the rest of the world. Could the USA do all of that with a small and ineffective army? When you are talking about a country with over 303 million people is every person or organization in this country going to be just or fair the answer is no, hint the DOD, by the way the USA, france, china, great britain and russia are the biggest arms dealers in the world and they are also five permanent members of the UN security council . With freedom comes responsibility, you have freedom to succeed or freedom to fail. America is still gods noble experiment. :)
"America is still gods noble experiment."
So you believe America should still operate under the mantra of *manifest destiny*?
Who would God bomb?
Tyranny: dominance through threat of punishment and violence.
When you say bomb, America bombed japan to end the war, the end justifies the means, japan surrendered american lives were saved. If America was truely tyrannical and militaristic then general patton would have been allowed to go ahead and attack russia at the end of world war two, his response was that we were going to have to fight the red bastards sooner or latter why not now while we have the army over here. General McArthur wanted to bomb china during the korean war to stop the chinese from helping the north koreans and he was fired for that If America is a tyrannical government then why do people risk there lives to get here to go from one tyranny to the next, why not go to iran, north korea, china or russia less tyrannical places according to you.
I am not particularly surprised that you claim to be a Christian, but are very blood thirsty. Organized religion is often in favor of conflict and against peace.
According to many experts, the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not necessary to end the war, Japan was ready to surrender. The deaths in Hiroshima alone were as many as 140,000 civilians.
The dropping of the atomic bomb touched off a global arms race that now sees most developed countries of the world armed with nuclear bombs. Once that Pandora's box was opened, it has proven very difficult to keep a lid on it.
In the past, the American government has practiced democracy at home, while spreading tyranny, hegemony and debt & dependency abroad... this pattern is changing. Seems that *injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere*, including America. One example: Mexicans are returning home in record numbers because there is a fowl smell in American cities where jobs are very hard to come by.
Post a Comment