April 24, 2024

From the Flotilla today:

We have completed all technical and crewing requirements in order to launch the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza on Friday April 26, 2024. Our final group of participants are undergoing the required nonviolent direct-action training today. Our Flotilla will carry over 5000 tons of life-saving aid and hundreds of human rights observers to ensure the aid gets promptly to Palestinians in Gaza without interference. We are working diligently to move our boats to a port in Istanbul where the paperwork procedures for hundreds of participants can be completed, to allow for boarding beginning on Friday morning.

“The Freedom Flotilla has the support of millions around the world who are outraged at the failure of our governments to protect the Palestinians people from Israel’s genocidal actions, including the deliberate starvation of over two million people,” said Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) Steering Committee member Zohar Chamberlain-Regev.

Huwaida Arraf, U.S. human rights attorney and FFC Steering Committee member added, “Governments must refuse to collaborate in maintaining Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza by obstructing the flotilla in any way. We call on the governments of the 40 countries represented on the Freedom Flotilla to uphold their obligations under international law and demand that Israel guarantee the flotilla safe passage to Gaza.”

The US government has been putting heavy pressure on Turkey to stop the Flotilla from sailing. Please call Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Sen. Ron Johnson and Rep. Mark Pocan to demand that Congress ensure the safety of the flotilla and prompt delivery of its life-saving cargo.

Israel’s deadly campaign has been possible thanks to years of unconditional funding from the U.S. The least our elected officials can do now is exert American influence to insist on safe passage for this humanitarian mission. And remind them that they have at least one constituent (MRSCP member Cassandra Dixon) on board.

Here’s how to contact them:

Rep. Mark Pocan

• DC Office (202) 225-2906
• Madison Office (608) 258-9800
• Send a message using his contact form

Senator Tammy Baldwin

• DC Office (202) 224-5653
• Madison Office (608) 264-5338
• Milwaukee Office (414) 297-4451
• Other offices here
• Send a message using her contact form

Senator Ron Johnson 

• DC Office (202) 224-5323
• Madison Office: (608) 240-9629
• Other offices here
• Send a message using his contact form

Thank you,
Barb Olson

April 22, 2024

Please call the US Embassy and Consulate in Ankara and Istanbul AND the State Department in Washington and ask them to stop blocking the Gaza Aid Flotilla from departing from Turkey on April 24.  

Cassandra Dixon