"Paul Reid and Stephen, both Portland residents, are among the hundreds of people from around the world who set sail in the Mediterranean Sea late last month. The two Portlanders joined the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of civilian boats currently en route to Gaza in an attempt to deliver aid to Palestinians amid Israel's ongoing siege on the enclave. Approaching nearly a month at sea, the flotilla has faced rough seas, multiple drone attacks, and coordinating complications due to the vast size of the coalition."
"Many members have endured persistent sea sickness, especially on smaller sail boats. Stephen is on a motorized boat with about 25 people, and has volunteered to work in the engine room. Reid is on a smaller sail boat where they take shifts at the helm."
"Both Reid and Stephen have spent some time at sea-Reid in particular did a two-week voyage from Yemen to Oman years ago during peak pirate activity-but the current journey presents new challenges and life-threatening risks. They told the Mercury they wanted to take direct action to help people in Gaza, as world leaders have failed to do so. "I hope my people are able to see me not as crazy, but as profoundly dedicated to seeing a free Palestine after so many years of trauma and abuse at the hands of their occupiers," Reid told the Mercury over text while the flotilla was docked in Tunisia. Israel has restricted crucial aid, including food and medical supplies, from entering Gaza for months, tightening its blockade after a short cease-fire earlier this year."
Two Portland residents joined the Global Sumud Flotilla, a multinational fleet sailing toward Gaza to attempt civilian delivery of humanitarian aid amid an Israeli siege. The flotilla has spent nearly a month at sea and encountered rough seas, multiple drone attacks, and coordination complications tied to the coalition's size. Many participants suffer persistent seasickness, especially on smaller sailboats. One volunteer works in a motorized boat's engine room while another shares helm shifts on a smaller vessel. Prior seafaring experience did not eliminate new life-threatening risks. Aid restrictions and a tightened blockade have contributed to severe food and medical shortages in Gaza.
Read at Portland Mercury
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