Charles Barron discussing the Israeli seizure of the Spirit of Humanity
(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

NEW YORK — June 30, 2009. Troops Out Now is calling an “EMERGENCY DEMONSTRATION Against Israeli Piracy and Kidnapping” to be held tomorrow, Wednesday, July 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Israeli Mission: 800 Second Avenue (near 43rd Street).

Earlier today, Troops Out Now issued the following statement:

“Last night, Israeli Occupation Forces attacked and boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Noble laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The passengers and crew are being forcibly dragged toward Israel.

The seizure of humanitarian supplies and abduction of human rights workers is an act of piracy, a crime under international law. When the boat was attacked, it was not in Israeli waters and was on a human rights mission to Gaza. Israel’s deliberate and premeditated attack on an unarmed boat in international waters is a clear violation of international law. Join us tomorrow from 4 to 6 pm at the Israeli Mission to demand an immediate and unconditional release of the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, all 21 human rights workers, and the humanitarian supplies.

According to an International Committee of the Red Cross report released yesterday, the Palestinians living in Gaza are ‘trapped in despair.’ Thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed earlier during Israel’s December/January massacre are still without shelter despite pledges of almost $4.5 billion in aid, because Israel refuses to allow cement and other building material into the Gaza Strip. The report also notes that hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of their patients due to Israel’s disruption of medical supplies.”

Charles Barron held a press conference today
(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

City council member Charles Barron held a press conference today to discuss the situation. Barron called the seizure an act of piracy and said that not letting humanitarian aid through was an act of genocide. He has contacted the White House and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s office to urge action.

Jewish Voice for Peace is also urging people to act. In a statement issued today JVP asked people to “Call your Congressperson and your Senators today. Ask them to call the Israeli Embassy and to call the U.S. State Department demanding that the boat and its occupants be released, together with their humanitarian cargo, and that they be allowed to dock in Gaza.”

Interested persons can find their senator’s contact information HERE

Representatives can be found HERE

Don’t know who your U.S. Representative is? CLICK HERE

ANSWER has created an online petition:
http://www.iacenter.org/palestine/gazashippetition

(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

Fran Korotzer contributed to this article.