As the Greek government today buckled under Israeli pressure and issued an outright ban on Freedom Flotilla II boats leaving Greece bound for Gaza, the action came fast today in Agios Nikolaos, on the Greek Island of Crete, where the Tahrir has been stationed for several weeks.
For days now, the administrative requirements from port authorities at the marina in Agios Nikolaos have become more and more obscure, culminating today with the discovery that the Tahrir's radio did not have the proper signal call, and simply could not sail without it. Stephan Corriveau, of the Canadian Boat to Gaza steering committee, notes that the Tahrir is in better condition that most of the boats in the port, and that the radio signal requirement was simply an example of bureaucratic stalling, brought down from on high.
"They were looking to see if they could find something." said Corriveau "And they kept looking and looking and looking, with another officer, and another agency, and another officer, and another agency, they kept coming...looking."
In any case, a new radio was purchased, installed, and that should have been the end of it. Not so, and by mid-day numerous police, port authorities, marina security, and sun-glassed men in camouflage were either surrounding the boat, patrolling the marina, or in the boat itself. The harbour master demanded to have the Tahrir's sailing papers and travel log, which is the automobile equivalent of a driver's licence, and without which the Tahrir cannot sail.
Sandra Ruch, the boat's 'owner' (although the boat is in effect collectively owned), refused to have the papers leave her side, out of fear that she might never see them again. A call was quickly made to the activists and journalists who make up the Tahrir's crew, who promptly descended upon the harbour to peacefully block the way of the harbour master and his entourage. Not wanting to have to step over, or push aside, thirty chanting individuals, the harbour master retreated to the stern of the boat, where a standoff ensued.
"You know that we have our papers," said Ruch. "You know that we have no Greek flag. You know that we're not Greeks. We just want to leave this harbour. We have a place to go and we want to go now. We just want to go."
In minutes the Tahrir became a small tourist sensation, as what had seemed like any old ferry tied up at the dock became a political demonstration. Activists chanting, “We want to sail to Gaza!” and banners from numerous countries unfurled across her sides. The proverbial cat was out of the bag.
Eventually, Ruch and a group of the activists decided that they would take their case across town, to the Harbour Police office. The quiet streets of central Agios Nikolaos erupted with the activists' calls of “Free Gaza! Free the Flotilla!” and “Shame on Papandreaou!” The banner-adorned march rambled through the streets, viewed with interest by locals.
At the Harbour Police office there was more stonewalling and evasion, as the Chief Officer refused to speak with Ruch, and would only address the captain of the boat, who was missing. The activists continued to chant, and demand freedom for both the Tahrir, and the people of Gaza. Eventually the captain arrived, and a party that included himself, Ruch, and David Heap from the Canada Boat to Gaza steering committee, entered the police office.
At the time of writing, this meeting at the police office had not adjourned. All the activists and journalists will pack up and board the Tahrir, where the plan for the moment is to occupy the boat until further notice.
