Dear supporters,
After more than three years of investigation, what we thought until the end would not happen – must not happen! – has actually happened: This week Italian prosecutors in Trapani (Sicily) officially pressed charges against us for "aiding and abetting illegal entry". If convicted, we face up to 20 years in prison (see our press release).
Not only us, but also crew members of Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children – a total of 21 individuals and 3 organisations – are on the final list. All too obvious, the aim is to make an example of us in order to deter others – and to divert attention from the human rights violations committed by the EU.
There is no need to say anything more about the absurdity and audacity of the accusations here – scientists, journalists and experts have already refuted them years ago. This is a political trial. It is not about us, but about the EU's deadly border policy and nothing less than the right to life, which the EU systematically denies people.
It is a political declaration of intent to criminalise migration and solidarity – with deadly consequences: People die when they could be saved!
And we will fight! We fought this racist system at sea, and we will fight it in the courtroom.
We need your support now more than ever – the course and outcome of this trial will be highly influenced by the media and public opinion.
We hope that the trial will receive a lot of attention, because we intend to use this political show to speak as often as possible and at every opportunity about what is happening at and inside Europe's external borders.
Although we stand accused, it is us who accuse European authorities of refusing safe passage and of letting people drown.
You can support us by continuing to stand with us and with those who are, on a daily basis, subjected to violence and humiliation by European borders and authorities; whose suffering and letting-them-die has long become part of an accepted border practice.
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Thank you for your support!
Love and Rage,
Iuventa Crew