Update from Hedy Sunday 3 July 2011

Dear All,

I am forwarding to you an overview of what is happening here and I add some additional information regarding yesterday's events.  I suggested in one of our many meetings that a fast or hunger strike might be considered.  Several people started a fast across from the U.S. Embassy.  I offered to be one of those fasting, but in deference to several asking me not to do so, I "complied."  We delivered a letter (see below) but were first told by the security folks at the Embassy that they had orders not to accept the letter.  Shortly thereafter, they were allowed to receive the letter.  We then moved across the street to settle down.  To pass the time, many jokes were told, there was some singing.  Then a couple of us went to the square to join the folks who marched.  It was awesome to see so many of our signs & tee shirts, which we passed out to the group.  In the square I ran into many people I know from other venues, viz. Gaza Freedom March.  The main Greek leader of this mostly young group then offered several choices of what to do next.  By a vast majority vote (democracy in action) it was decided to march to the U.S. Embassy & join the group fasting.  Three or four of us (myself included) quickly returned to the Embassy to welcome the crowd.  After a long wait, we heard their chants, but they were not coming closer, so we walked down the hill to meet up with the crowd, who were stopped by the police.  So, once again & only briefly I was behind the police (like at Rutgers U).   Not for long as police came behind us.  We sang, chanted & the ever so young police "behaved."  Perhaps they were beginning to be "infected" by our peaceful demeanor.  At a point in time the large group left.  The U.S. boat people held an impromptu meeting.  At the end of the meeting, the fasters returned to their site & the rest of us disbursed.  Some returned to the boat for an overnight stay.  The rest of us (me included) returned to our hotel for a good night's sleep.  Since there are not enough sleeping spaces on the boat, we take turns sleeping there (I've done my time sleeping on the boat  twice.)

I/we will return to the boat tomorrow.

Peace & love,

Hedy