Green Party’s Cynthia McKinney On Relief Mission to Gaza
December 29, 2008 in Peace & Non-Violence
News from FreeGaza.org:
Dignity Leaves for Gaza on Emergency Mission of Mercy
(Larnaca, Cyprus) The Free Gaza movement will hold a press conference at 16:30, Monday, December 29 at the port in Larnaca. The organization is sending in the DIGNITY on an emergency mission of mercy to Gaza loaded with three to four tons of urgently needed medical supplies.
On board are four physicians, including Dr. Elena Theoharous, a surgeon and Member of Parliament in Cyprus. Also going are The Hon. Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate, and Sami al-Hajj, an Al Jazeera reporter and former detainee at Guantanamo.
Dr Khaled from the Shifa hospital ICU in Gaza City told us on Saturday that the majority of cases are critical shrapnel wounds from Israeli gunboats and helicopters, with an approximate 80% who will not survive.
The medical supply list includes bandages, splints and rubber gloves, items that any medical community should have access to, but, because of Israel’s policies of collective punishment, these supplies are not available.
Eliza Ernshire, one of the Free Gaza organizers says, “We have calls for surgeons willing to go into Gaza and work there throughout this crisis. The doctors inside are exhausted and unable to cope with the number of wounded. We will do our best to send in the DIGNITY as often as we can over the next few weeks, bringing in physicians and medical supplies.
The media is welcome to come to the port at 16:30 to interview the passengers.
ht/Claire M.
Kimberly Wilder said on December 30, 2008
There are new developments. Irsaeli gunboats confronted the Dignity, and there was a collision between the Dignity and an Israeli boat. The Dignity and its crew are okay, but they are having engine troubles and taking on some water. I believe that they have turned away from Gaza, and have been offered at least two ports to return to – they don’t have enough fuel to go all the way back. Please stay tuned at http://www.freegaza.org, where they are posting updates and press summaries.
Please hold the Dignity and Cynthia McKinney in your thoughts. If you pray, pray. And, let’s see what we can all do to support the people of Gaza.
As my husband said, we are very proud that our presidential candidate is on a boat trying to help the situation in Gaza.
Mouse A. said on December 30, 2008
Update: Dignity landed safely in Lebanon. All on board okay.
Ronald Hardy said on December 30, 2008
Madness.