BREAKING NEWS: ISRAELI WARSHIPS THREATENING THE LIFE OF FORMER REP. CYNTHIA McKINNEY AND THOSE ABOARD HUMANITARIN SHIP!

Link

CHARLES BARRON

The Council of The City of New York

COUNCIL MEMBER, 42nd DISTRICT
718 PENNSYLVANIA AVE * BROOKLYN NY 11207 * 718-649-9495

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday June 30, 2009 12PM

PLACE
Front of 250 Broadway Avenue (across from City Hall)

Councilmember Barron Calls on President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton to Call off Israeli Warships which are threatening the life of Frm Rep Cynthia McKinney and those aboard the Spirit of Humanity

New York, NY, June 29, 2009—Councilmember Barron will hold an emergency press conference to call on President Obama and Secretary Clinton to demand the Israeli navy stand down its military activities against the Spirit of Humanity, a humanitarian aid ship carrying Cynthia McKinney and aid workers from Cyprus to Gaza. The Spirit, which is caring medical and other aid to the Gaza Strip, was in international waters heading to Gaza when the warships surrounded the unarmed ship and is threatening to open fire.

Councilmember Barron denounces the Israeli Blockade of Gaza and is calling on our elected leaders to stand up against the inhumane treatment of the peoples of Gaza. “I am asking President Obama to back up his speech in Egypt with some action! Tell Prime Minister Netanyahu to allow the ship to pass and to assure the safe return home of Cythina McKinney and all aboard. It is in international waters and is on a mission of peace.”

The Free Gaza boat the “Spirit of Humanity” departed Cyprus July 29th with Twenty-one human rights and solidarity workers representing eleven different countries aboard. The passengers include Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The ship also carries three tons of medical aid, children’s toys, and rehabilitation and reconstruction kits for twenty family homes.

“I am extremely angry. We demand that the Israeli government call off their attack dogs. We are unarmed civilians aboard an unarmed boat delivering medical and reconstruction aid to other human beings in Gaza. Why in God’s name would Israel want to attack us and threaten our safety and welfare. I call on President Obama and the international community to intervene now to prevent this situation from escalating with potentially drastic results to the civilians on board.” -Cynthia McKinney, aboard the spirit of humanity


As a show of support to the peoples of Gaza, Councilmember Barron will accompany MP George Galloway, Fmr Rep. Cynthia McKinney, Ron Kovic, and many others on this humanitarian mission to Gaza. The mission will included hundreds of volunteers who will deliver millions of dollars worth of medical aid to the Gaza Strip. The trip will began to leave on July 4th.


Fresh from the success of the Viva Palestina: Lifeline from Britain to Gaza aid convoy – which took over 100 vehicles to Gaza from the UK, Member of Parliament, George Galloway has linked up on his US tour with the Vietnam veteran and peace campaigner, Ron Kovic, to launch a similar venture from the States. “There’s a new atmosphere in the US over Palestine,” says Galloway, “the phenomenal response to this tour demonstrates that.”

Viva Palestina USA is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, but individuals and groups from across the nation have organized locally to generate support for the convoy, which has raised millions of dollars for humanitarian aid and will use several hundred volunteers and vehicles to deliver the aid into Gaza.

Cynthia Ann McKinney is a former United States Representative and was the 2008 Green Party nominee for President of the United States. She is the first African-American woman to have represented Georgia in the House.

George Galloway is an outspoken British politician, author, and broadcaster, who has been a Member of Parliament (MP) since 1987.

Ron Kovic, whose story was immortalized in Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July, will be one of the co-leader of the convoy

If you’d like more information about this event please call Lamont Carolina at (201)835-3095 or e-mail at lcarolina@council.nyc.gov

June 29, 2009 Posted by Elias


Call off your attack dogs - Cynthia McKinney

Tuesday, 30 June 2009 01:15 Written by Free Gaza Team

We just spoke to the passengers. Everyone is OK, but the situation is still very tense. They continue to be surrounded by Israeli warships which are threatening to open fire. The Israeli Navy is actively jamming all navigation systems in violation of international maritime law, endangering the people on board.

Former U.S. Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney, speaking from on board the SPIRIT, stated, "I am extremely angry. We demand that the Israeli government call off their attack dogs. We are unarmed civilians aboard an unarmed boat delivering medical and reconstruction aid to other human beings in Gaza. Why in God's name would Israel want to attack us and threaten our safety and welfare. I call on President Obama and the international community to intervene now to prevent this situation from escalating with potentially drastic results to the civilians on board."

Since the boat's navigation equipment is being jammed, it has turned westward in order to stay in international waters.The Captain and crew are working from the most ancient of navigation equipment...the compass to stay clear of Israeli waters.

CALL or FAX Major Liebovitz from the Israeli Navy at:
Tel + 972 5 781 86248 or +972 3737 7777 or +972 3737 6242
Fax +972 3737 6123 or +972 3737 7175

CALL Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at:
Tel +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264

mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CALL Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence at:
Tel +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148

mediasar@mod.gov.il