[Stopwar-l] Meeting Wednesday & Update on Canadian Boat to Gaza

[StopWar]

You are invited to StopWar's July general meeting, Wednesday, July 6,
5:30pm at the Maritime Labour Centre (111 Victoria Dr.)

Please join us as we discuss our plans for the summer and heading into the
fall.

Also we are sharing with you the latest news from the Canadian Boat to
Gaza, as well as information about a support action Wednesday. One of our
long-time activists and former co-chairs, Irene MacInnes, is a delegate on
the Canadian Boat, along with fellow Vancouverites Jase Tanner and Karen
Devito.

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*Please circulate widely*

Peace Picnic to Support the Canadian Boat to Gaza

Wednesday July 6, 11:30am - 1:30pm

As you may well know the people of Gaza are currently under siege by an
Israeli blockade which makes their daily survival very difficult. A number
of courageous people from around the world- as part of the Freedom
Flotilla II stay human campaign- have put themselves on the line in an
attempt to break this blockade and deliver much needed supplies to Gaza.

Their mission is both humanitarian and political.  The Israeli blockade
amounts to a collective punishment of Gaza's 1.5 million population. The
Canadian Boat to Gaza is currently in Greece and is being held up by Greek
authorities. The US boat to Gaza is also being held up and the Captain has
been arrested for attempting to set sail.

The crews of the Freedom Flotilla II campaign are committed to
non-violently confront the blockade and to continue to work to see its
end! In support of these brave people and on behalf of all the men, women
and children of Gaza let us gather and show our support for their courage.

PEACE PICNIC! Bring some food to share! Bring an instument to play! Or
just come and show your support! (If you make your own signs please keep
the focus on Support for the Canadian boat to Gaza, free Gaza or Support
for the Freedom Flotilla II)

When: Wednesday July 6th at 11:30am - 1:30pm

Where: Seaforth Peace Flame Park (South end of the Burrard Street Bridge)

Not only is the Israeli blockade cruel it is also illegal. For more info
visit www.tahrir.ca

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Latest Update on the Canadian Boat to Gaza and Freedom Flotilla

July 5, 2011 - 3:00PM EDT

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.

Actions:  Here in Canada we must also keep up the pressure

1. We ask people to write MPs and Canadian Ambassador in Greece calling on
the Embassy to meet its Consular obligations with regards to all Canadians
on the Tahrir. Tell them that the obligations are clearly established in
international law and, more specifically, under the terms of the Vienna
Convention on Consular Relations
<http://untreaty.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/9_2_1963.pdf>
 , to which Canada is a signatory.

2. Keep up local actions, which might include vigils, demonstrations at
consulates or embassies, or other creative actions aimed at drawing public
attention to the situation.

3. Continue tweeting and using social networking to spread messages and
images far and wide.

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