WASHINGTON, DC -- 2008 Green presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney is participating in a second campaign to deliver goods to Gaza in defiance of an Israeli blockade.



According to recent news reports, port authority officials in Cyprus have detained a multi-national Free Gaza Movement boat in Lanarca under pressure from Israel. The boat is carrying 33 human rights activists, including Ms. McKinney, and shipments of medical supplies and cement.



See Ms. McKinney's June 25 blog post for an update.



Ms. McKinney notes that President Obama himself has called for medical supplies and cement to be sent to Gaza. Despite the Obama statement and a request from Ms. McKinney to the White House for an assurance of safety, the US State Department has warned the boat against sailing to Gaza.



Cynthia McKinney, a former six-term Democratic member of the US House from Georgia, was aboard a Free Gaza Movement boat delivering medical supplies to Gaza that was rammed by Israeli naval forces in January, 2009. Ms. McKinney and running mate Rosa Clemente were nominated for President and Vice President at the Green Party's 2008 national convention in Chicago, Illinois.



For news on the unfolding situation, see: Communications and updates from Cynthia McKinney



Greens Demand Israel Release McKinne, Other Captives from Gaza relief trips.



Green Party: President Obama and the US State Dept. must demand release of Cynthia McKinney and 20 other human rights activists on Free Gaza relief boat seized by Israeli gunboats.



• The Free Gaza's 'Spirit of Humanity' was delivering medical and other
supplies following Obama's call for relief to wartorn Gaza; the boat was in
international waters



WASHINGTON, DC -- Green Party leaders are calling on the White House and
US State Department to intervene and demand the immediate release of 21
human rights activists, including former US Rep. Cynthia McKinney and Nobel
laureate Mairead Maguire, who were taken prisoner by the Israeli navy after
gunboats surrounded and seized the Free Gaza Movement relief boat 'Spirit of
Humanity' on Monday.



"This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our
boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the
Gaza Strip," said Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party's 2008 candidate for
President of the United States. "President Obama just told Israel to let in
humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that's exactly what we tried
to do. We're asking the international community to demand our release so we
can resume our journey."



Read Cynthia McKinney's latest statement here:
http://www.freegaza.org/en/home/hope-fleet-news/970-call-off-your-attack-dogs-cynthia-mckinney



Ms. McKinney had earlier sent appeals to President Obama and the State
Department for assurances of protection for the relief mission. The Spirit of
Humanity was sailing in international waters when it was seized. Greens
stressed that the relief boat represents no threat to Israel and must be
allowed to continue its voyage to Gaza.



For more information and updates, see the Free Gaza Movement web site
(http://www.freegaza.org), including the latest release on the seizure of the
relief boat


(http://www.freegaza.org/en/home/hope-fleet-news/976-israel-attacks-justice-boat-kidnaps-human-rights-workers-confiscates-medicine-toys-and-o
live-trees).



For communications and updates from Cynthia McKinney, visit her Green
Party page (http://www.gp.org/cynthia/index.php) and blog
(http://dignity.ning.com).



The Spirit of Humanity was carrying medical supplies, cement, olive trees,
and children's toys to Gaza after the Israeli invasion in December and
January damaged or destroyed 50,000 homes, 800 industrial properties and 200
schools damaged or destroyed, 39 mosques, and two churches. The supplies
were confiscated by the Israeli navy.



The Green Party of the United States condemned the invasion and massacre
of Palestinians and has endorsed the call for boycott, divestment, and
sanctions against Israel until the Israeli government guarantees full human
rights, including political rights and democracy, for all Palestinians and
non-Jewish Israelis.