FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Sara Flounders – 201-388-7428 , Scott Williams 919-794-1429
A ship containing over 2,500 tons of flour, rice, and medicine is departing from the Islamic Republic of Iran on Monday. The delegation of doctors, journalists, and activists organized by the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran intends to deliver this much needed humanitarian aid to the people of Yemen, who are facing a horrific bombing campaign from Saudi Arabia.
Joining the Iranian volunteers is a delegation of anti-war activists from the United States. Caleb Maupin, an organizer with the International Action Center (iacenter.org) Fight Imperialism Stand Together (fightimperialism.org) and the United National Anti-War Coalition (unacpeace.org ) will be aboard the ship, along with other activists from Europe and the United States, including Tighe Barry from Code Pink (www.codepink.org) and Cyrus McGoldrick, a U.S. Muslim human rights activist.
“What the Saudis are doing to the people of Yemen is a horrific crime against humanity.” He said. “People all over the world must come together to support the people of Yemen.”
Saudi airstrikes have targeted schools, hospitals, power plants, and other civilian infrastructure, and at least 1,000 innocent people have already been killed.
An Iranian aircraft that intended to deliver aid to the people of Yemen was blocked by two US-made Saudi Jet fighters last week. The “Rescue Ship” departing from Iran on Monday will attempt to deliver the supplies by sea. Those organizing the vessel call on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries not to interfere with this humanitarian mission, and allow the Yemenis who desperately need aid to receive it.
Caleb described the mission, saying: “Blocking this ship, or doing anything to try and prevent its arrival is a clear violation of International law. The Red Crescent Society is recognized by the United Nations and other international bodies as a legitimate humanitarian organization. There will be nothing on board but food and medicine, which the people of Yemen desperately need.”
Maupin also went on to say “The United States must end its complicity with Saudi crimes in Yemen, and elsewhere. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the most repressive and autocratic regimes on earth, and its campaign of terror and violence against the people of Yemen is horrendous. The US must stop arming and coddling the Saudi regime.”
He added that US military bases throughout the Middle East should be closed down. The money instead should be used for providing jobs, schools, and healthcare for impoverished youth in the United States.
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