The artist Banksy has financed a boat to rescue refugees from the Mediterranean. On Thursday, the vessel named Louise Michel, after a French feminist anarchist, rescued 89 people in distress. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/27/banksy-funds-refugee-rescue-boat-operating-in-mediterranean h/t @tristanbergh

Who was Louise Michel? https://www.patreon.com/posts/37602073 

Louise Michel, anarchist feminist and a leader of the Paris Commune, from The Red Virgin and the Vision of Utopia by Mary M Talbot and Bryan Talbot

“The 10 crew members of the Louise Michel have diverse backgrounds, but they all identify as anti-racist and anti-fascist activists advocating for radical political change. As it is a feminist project,only female crew members are allowed to speak in the name of the Louise Michel”

“Lea Reisner,a nurse & head of mission for the 1st rescue operation, said the project was anarchist at its heart,meant to bring together a variety of struggles for social justice, incl for women’s & LGBTIQ rights, racial equality,migrants’ rights, environmentalism &animal rights”

“We really want to try to awaken the consciousness of Europe and say: ‘Look, we have been yelling at you for years now. There is something that shouldn’t be happening at the very borders of Europe, and you close your eyes to it. Wake up!’” Claire Faggianelli, activist

Banksy’s involvement came after he contacted Captain Pia Kemp, who has been part of rescue operations in the Mediterranean and who had once turned down a medal from the mayor of Paris, saying medals are better used to spearhead revolution https://twitter.com/monaeltahawy/status/1164713947725012992

Klemp, who initially thought it was a joke, believes she was chosen by Banksy due to her political stance. “I don’t see sea rescue as a humanitarian action, but as part of an anti-fascist fight,” she told the Guardian.

‘She has made clear that Banksy’s involvement in the operations is limited to providing financial support. “Banksy won’t pretend that he knows better than us how to run a ship, and we won’t pretend to be artists.”’

“You want to give me a medal for actions that you fight in your own ramparts," Klemp wrote on FB, turning down the medal. “We do not need authorities deciding about who is a 'hero' and who is 'illegal’...In fact they are in no position to make this call,because we are all equal”

Read Pia Klemp’s incredible statement here in English and French:

“Documents and housing for all.
Freedom of movement and residence.” https://m.facebook.com/pia.klemp/posts/10156318059491611