Activists launch 'Global Sumud Flotilla' to challenge Gaza blockade
The atmosphere at the Malcolm X Center in the English city of Bristol is charged with purpose. Activists from across the UK and abroad have come together under a new banner, one committed to breaking Israel's blockade on Gaza.
They call it the global Sumud Flotilla.
What we are going to do next is to go in a mass movement of boats to break the seas, so tens of boats going through different ports, mobilizing so many countries. 44 countries are involved.
Saif Abukeshek, Global Sumud Flotilla, Spokesperson
This isn't the first time a flotilla will try to reach Gaza; the most recent one, the Handella, attempted it this week, only to be intercepted by the Zionist entity.
The participants here, some of them from the Madeleine ship, also commandeered by Israel, say this time is different.
When we look at the history of anti-colonial struggle, we see that once the people are decided to walk this long march to freedom, and they don't stop.
There's no oppressive regime that can put an end to it.
So the Zionist regime has shown its true faces to everyone by stopping two conservative humanitarian missions carrying life-saving aid. But they did that because we still didn't have the organizing power, enough power to take to the streets simultaneously, to be there with many, many boats. And the conditions are changing.
Thiago Avila, Brazilian Activist
Of course, it's solidarity and love and a deep belief in a better world, that we also do not want to accept the things as they are, the status quo, we don't want to accept how our governments are separating and dividing us, and I think it's the belief that this is possible.
Melanie Schweizer, Former Civil Servant, Lawyer
As the collective Western governments allied with Israel turn their gaze elsewhere, organizers of the global Sumud Flotilla, which hopes to set sail this summer, say they hope the sea will be the road to freedom.
Here at the Malcolm X Center, a place named after a man who once said, "If you aren't ready to die for it, put the word freedom out of your vocabulary", that spirit of defiance and dignity is alive.
The activists here say they believe they can build a corridor of conscience to Gaza come what may.
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