The U.S. boat, Audacity of Hope, a member of Freedom Fotilla II, is trying to set sail from Athens, Greece bound for Gaza while armed with letters of hope for the people of Gaza from those in the United States.
The boat has been prevented from leaving Athens by Greek authorities. Just today the captain of the boat was arrested over the ship's "seaworthiness" and for jeopardizing passengers' safety. Those associated with the boat believe the delays have been due to the interference of Israel and the United States.
The Audacity of Hope is one of nine boats of Freedom Flotilla II. The current flotilla is commemorating the flotilla of a year ago in which Israeli forces attacked the Turkish boat the “Mavi Marmara” on May 27, 2010 resulting in the deaths of nine passengers, one of them an American citizen.
Among the boat's passengers are Medea Benjamin, a co-founder of CODEPINK: Women for Peace and Ret. Col. Ann Wright who has also been associated with CODEPINK. Benjamin has been blogging of this endeavor at CODEPINK's blog, PINKtank.
For more information, see the official website: USTOGAZA, CODEPINK's Gaza Freedom March website, and the website of Al Jazeera English.
I have been very concerned about the people of Gaza who have been denied justice, freedom, and peace. They are being treated against International Law, especially the Geneva Conventions. They are living or surviving in extremely dire circumstances. Many, especially children, are suffering from malnutrition. They have been cut off from the rest of the world while living in one of the world's most densely-populated places. They are human beings who are being treated like abused animals in a cage. I have formally endorsed the mission of the Audacity of Hope at the website USTOGAZA. Hope shouldn't have to be so audacious and bringing it shouldn't have to be either.
The Audacity of Hope should be allowed to sail.
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