Free the Tahrir, Free the Flotilla, Free Gaza

Free the Tahrir, Free the Flotilla, Free Gaza

Update

 The steering committee members aboard the Tahrir, remain in Crete after being boarded, commandeered, and towed back to port against our will. Today our steadfast resolve won two important victories: we were allowed to leave the Tahrir without threat of arrest of us or any of the other delegates on board; and Soha Kneen, Michael Coleman and Sandra Rush were released from custody with a promise to appear in front of a judge tomorrow.

We remain concerned about the fate of Sandra Rush and the charges she may face.  As for Soha Kneen, Michael Coleman, expectation is that they will not get more than a suspended sentence.

 On  the positive side we have been informed that charges against the captain of the US boat that tried to sail a few days ago and was also obstructed and returned to shore have been dropped.
 

  We remain concerned and demand:  

 - an end to interference by Greek authorities with our vessel and the flotilla;

 - that Greek authorities fix the damage they did to the Tahrir. The ship was damaged by Greek forces on the way back to port after being boarded. This is outrageous and the vessel should be repaired without delay at the expense of Greek authorities;

 - that Greece allow The Tahrir to relocate to a safe port of our choosing. The Greek authorities want to move the boat to a different location. We assert our right to move the ship with a local captain of our choosing, rather than Greek authorities commandeering our ship again;

 - dropping all charges against the three organizers with the Canadian boat to Gaza; and

 - that Greece stop enforcing Israel's illegal blockade of Gaza and allow the flotilla to complete its mission.
 

For the media:
in Greece:
 David Heap: +30 (697) 837 9887
 Dylan Penner: +30 (699) 663 6796
 Sandra Ruch: +30 (698) 030 1711
 in Canada:
 Ehab Lotayef: 514.941.9792 - lotayef@gmail.com
 Wendy Goldsmith: 519.858.2442 - wendygoldsmith21@gmail.com