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Audacity of Hope being held by Greek police |
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Posted 7/1/2011 at 12:14 PM by Jasmin M in Affiliate News
Affiliate: Heartland |
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[original post by Jasmin Maurer]
According to the Audacity of Hope's Twitter account, @USBOATTOGAZA, the boat is being held by Greek police after being stopped by armed Greek authorities shortly after leaving port.
The Flotilla II left dock this morning from Greece only to be stopped by Greek authorities. When armed Greek commandos pointed their weapons at the Audacity of Hope, the passengers, including 2011 Heartland Slam keynote, Hedy Epstein, simply chanted "We Shall Overcome." Armed forces boarded the boat after the captain refused to turn it back to shore.
 Heartland Slam speaker, Hedy Epstein aboard the Audacity of Hope
Another boat of armed Greek officials approached and the decision was made by the captain to head back to shore. According to passenger Medea Benjamin's Twitter account, @medeabenjamin, "Passengers were serene and ready for Greek commandos to board; we were not going to move but our captain decided to go back." The boat is currently being held at a Greek port surrounded by bars and barbwire.
An emergency protest is being held in New York City at the Greek Consulate (E. 79th St.) at 3 p.m. EST and at Times Square between 46th and 47th on Broadway at 5 p.m. EST.
NYC: Emergency #Flotilla2 protests at 3pm at Greek Consulate, 69 E. 79th St and 5pm at Times Square between 46th & 47th on Broadway. Supporters are being urged by those on board via Twitter to call the Greek Embassy in Washington, DC (202-939-1300) to ask that the Audacity of Hope be granted passage out of Greek Waters.
More on the Freedom Flotilla II and this morning's happenings can be read by Jospeh Dana of The Nation here.
To stay up to date with the happenings of the Freedom Flotilla II, please follow @USBOATTOGAZA on Twitter or view Hedy Epstein's tweets here. |
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