News
July 07, 2009

Congresswoman McKinney back in U.S.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:
Kristin Szremski
Director of Media and Communications
American Muslims for Palestine
10101 S. Roberts Road
Palos Hills, IL 60465
708.598.4267

(Palos Hills, 07/07/2009) – Former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney arrived in New York at 6 a.m. this morning, her former press secretary John Judge told American Muslims for Palestine today.  McKinney is expected in Washington D.C. early this afternoon.

McKinney, along with 20 other human rights workers, was aboard a Free Gaza Movement aid boat carrying humanitarian supplies for Gaza, when Israeli authorities intercepted the boat in international waters.

All 21 aid workers were arrested and held in Israeli custody. Three other Americans – Adam Shapiro, Kathy Sheetz and Huwaida Arraf were detained along with McKinney. 

All Americans have been released, Judge said.
Judge said he hasn’t spoken to McKinney since her arrival because Israeli authorities confiscated her cell phone. “I’m trying to confirm if the other people got out,” he said, referring to the others on the boat.

McKinney and the others were taking much needed food and medical supplies to the 1.5 million residents of Gaza, where Israel’s two-year blockade has resulted in a complete economic breakdown that has forced more than 70 percent of the population into abject poverty and where more than 400,000 people don’t have access to clean water for cooking or drinking.

AMP will issue a statement after speaking with McKinney this afternoon.

For more on this story:

Reuters article
Haaretz article

The American Muslims for Palestine is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to educate the American public and media about issues relating to Palestine and its rich cultural heritage. For more information or to make a donation, call 888.404.4AMP.

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