On August 22, the citizen movement Thousand Madleens Nice held a meeting to clarify and exchange on the human and material resources to be provided in the Gaza Strip. The aim is to contribute to humanitarian law and stop the genocide.
After the opening of the premises of Thousand Madleens Nice on August 12, the citizen movement* prepared a meeting on August 22 to act against the humanitarian blockade and raise awareness on the genocidal war in Gaza. The many voices present during the evening came to participate in turn, according to the modes of action used, in the Nice location. “The goal is not to stop at organizing events and fundraising. We need to create a continuous flow of boats until we succeed in breaking the humanitarian blockade,” explains Sonia*, the coordinator of Thousand Madleens Nice.
According to her, even though the dates are set, fundraising and citizen actions continue. “We must absolutely keep the hope and motivation to achieve it. Just because they manage doesn’t mean we give up. If other peoples find themselves in the same situation, the fight will continue,” she asserts.
The fundraising is only the visible part of the group’s actions. Already, the French delegation has collected more than €136,000 out of the €300,000 target. Indeed, the goal has been increased to have more ships. However, their total number depends on other international delegations and the funds raised.
Amplifying actions to support the flotilla
To support the actions, volunteer contacts have been developed. Among them are two cafés, two gyms, one in Nice, the other in Antibes, as well as three sports coaches, artists, photographers… According to the collective, all profiles can join to carry out projects. “We have gathered to form a contact team of 10, 15, or 20 people. Their role is to find professionals, places to host us, and provide ideas,” explains the coordinator.
The autonomy of each group is described. Each step, according to Sonia, is validated by the organizing team up to the event. Each person operates autonomously and knows what they are doing, according to the documents available.
Protecting the flotilla
Let us remember that the mission on the flotilla is not without risk. A week before the crew’s departure, training is organized. It covers navigation, possible scenarios, life constraints, gender and sexual violence (GSV), and nonviolent communication.
12 ships, departing from Spain, will be present to support this first stage from August 31 in Barcelona and September 4 in Tunisia. Few details are shared about the appearance of the boats or the crew’s composition, accompanied by the Waves of Freedom coalition. The reason is to protect it.
Support for Palestine by other organizations
Emerging from civil society, the sister association Waves of Freedom shares a common goal with Thousand Madleens to Gaza, to break the blockade in the Gaza Strip. For administrative and urgent reasons, the merger does not take place, but it does not prevent cooperation.
Since 2008, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, or the Coalition for the Freedom Flotilla, has organized popular solidarity campaigns in collaboration with Thousand Madleens to Gaza. According to the latter, the Coalition for the Freedom Flotilla’s expertise is beneficial. It is not about replacing the citizen movement but leveraging its experience to form this flotilla.
Announced on July 5 by Thousand Madleens France, the Young Angry Women movement joins the international flotilla. The goal is to make a 100% female boat. According to the international collective, this collaboration is considered historical proof of feminist solidarity beyond borders.
*Out of respect for her privacy, she chose not to disclose her last name.
*As of today, the Nice location is not organized as a 1901 law association.
