Solidarity rally to call for release of Cree/Dene land defender Mskwaasin Agnew and all others detained from Gaza flotilla
Photo: Mskwaasin Agnew.
CBC News reports: “The Israeli military intercepted a nine-boat flotilla trying to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza early Wednesday [October 8] in the Mediterranean Sea and detained [the 150] activists on board, including six Canadians, the flotilla organizers and the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.”
Those six are: Mskwaasin Agnew, Devoney Ellis, Nimâ Machouf, Sadie Mees, Khurram Musti Khan, and Nikita Stapleton.
A United Nations media release further explains: “The Conscience, the flagship vessel of this Flotilla was carrying 92 passengers, including journalists, health and care workers, and other human rights defenders, sailing to break Israel’s siege and blockade of Gaza. Sixteen of those were international journalists from 10 countries.”
Mskwaasin explained why she was on board the Conscience in this open letter posted on social media. She wrote: “Our joined liberation struggle as Indigenous people, our survival, hinges on the resistance spirit within us all. The Canadian government is funding a genocide. The same state that persecuted our grandparents and ancestors. The same state that denies dignity and personhood to the people I see everyday.”
Her comments from on board the ship can also be seen here.
A 5-minute CBC News interview with Sadie, Nikita and Devoney can also be seen here.
The CBC News article highlighted above continues: “The interception [on October 8 by Israeli military forces] came after [479] activists from a previous, high-profile flotilla — including European lawmakers and climate activist Greta Thunberg — were intercepted on more than 40 boats [on October 2] last week trying to reach Gaza.”
Three Canadians were detained at that time including Zaheera Soomar and Rabab Moustapha.
Wet’suwet’en solidarity
Wet’suwet’en land defender Molly Wickham has posted on social media:
“Our relative @mskwaasin_agnew is aboard the Conscience with the Flotilla to break the barrier to Gaza, bringing much needed medical supplies and aid to the Palestinian People. Earlier today the Israeli war jets were surrounding them and we are awaiting news of their position.
We are all connected! Our liberation as Indigenous Peoples and our survival as a human species relies on stopping this gen0cide. It was once us who experienced these types of atrocities and we must support the end to the siege on Gaza. We demand a two way arms embargo and the safe passage of our sister.
Watch for solidarity actions/marches and support the Conscience. Big love and prayers to our sister for the ancestors to protect her and her companions.
Light your sacred 🔥 fires.
#planprepareprotect
#theconcience”
Demands of the Canadian government
Métis visual artist and social justice advocate Christi Belcourt has also help amplify this post on social media:
Solidarity rally on Algonquin territory/Ottawa
Gabrielle Fayant, co-founder of the Assembly of Seven Generations, has posted on social media:
“We will be coming together on unceded, unsurrendered Algonquin territory to pray for a safe passage for @mskwaasin_agnew, all Canadians on board @gazafreedomflotilla and all humanitarian aid workers doing what they can to provide food and medical aid to Palestinians who are being starved and murdered by Isr3@l.
As Indigenous peoples, we’ve been here before. We’ve survived and continue to survive genocides and we know the power of our prayers.”
United Nations
In a United Nations (UN) media release issued on October 8, Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, commented on the interception of the Conscience in international waters : “This attack against unarmed civilians on the high seas is yet another violation of international law by Israel.”
On September 9, prior to the interception of the two flotillas, a United Nations media release also stated: “United Nations experts* today urged Israel to cease all threats of harm against the Global Sumud Flotilla and ensure it proceeds unhindered in its mission to deliver humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Gaza.” Those UN experts included Special Rapporteurs Francesca Albanese, Pedro Arrojo Agudo and Gina Romero.
We continue to follow this.
The demand that the six people from Canada be released by Israel.
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