A letter of support, a drop of truth.
On the fourth day of the campaign, it almost seemed like this hectic isolated lifestyle is becoming normal. The crew being transported around in minivans with darkened windows, women sobbing on the hotline, eggs and paint being thrown at you while at the same time supporters are screaming Welcome! Welcome!
Letter from Isabella Jaruga-Nowacka:
To: Wanda Nowicka, STER Committee - Women decide
Dear Ladies,
With true anxiety I have read your letter in which you address me with reference to the events taking place around the ship 'Langenort'.
Violence, verbal and physical attacks and the atmosphere of threats is not and may not be used as an instrument of expressing one's political opinion. Applying such methods is especially revolting as it is directed against women from non-governmental organisations who are organising a peaceful campaign in favour of women's rights.
The biggest astonishment is caused by the fact that a member from Parliament is involved in aggressive behaviour towards female activists in a display of his parliamentary "immunity".
I am convinced that the protection of women's rights is an integral part of human rights, cannot be a reason for political aggression in a democratic country.
In my opinion the state should guarantee the protection of its citizens, who in a legal and peaceful way, are expressing their political views in public and through the media.
I believe that despite the tense atmosphere you will manage to realise your objectives and that the campaign of the women's NGOs concerning women's rights will be successful.
I want to inform you that today I addressed the chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, Mr Krystof Janik, for help and to see if proper security measures have been provided by the local authorities and police for the women's activists of the STER committee and that further acts of violence will be prevented.
I wish you perseverance.
Warm greetings,
Isabella Jaruga-Nowocka
Governmental plenipotentiary for gender equality
June 23, 2003
Finally, after dealing with the necessary bureaucracy, all the medications on board, including the seasickness pills and painkillers that belong to the crew, are sealed in a special cupboard in the mess hall on board the ship. It turns out that our idea to seal some of the medicines in the Netherlands was essential. The Polish customs officials will not be able to confiscate these medicines because they are legal in the Netherlands and, as the seal clearly indicates, not intended for distribution on Polish territory. We manage to save our supply of condoms and WoW T-shirts by declaring that they are for personal use. The pharmacological experts assisting the customs officials decide that some of the contraceptives we have on board are either 'out of date' or 'soon to be out of date'. We had not checked the expiration dates of all the contraceptives before the ship left the Netherlands as they were donated to Women on Waves as samples and most of them intended for educational use. The results of the customs official's search are released to the press immediately. In an attempt to suggest bad medical practice, the press emphasises the expired medicines as well as announcing the fact that there are 180 Cytotec tablets and 45 Mifegyne tablets (abortion pills) on board.
Late that night Margie finds out that she must leave for the US tomorrow morning. It is important that there is somebody who will be in charge of all the security issues and communicating with the private security firm and the police. Margie decides to delegate the security co-ordination to Willem.
Hotline team, Beata: “It feels good to be able to translate between the captain and our lawyer. As a result the captain is not forced to hand over the original documents of the ship. I feel very happy that I can mean something here, even though it is nerve-wracking. My presence makes a difference in what happens here and the consequences of the project in Poland. It is very hectic because we still do not know what is going to happen. We will not be chased away, we will not be terrorised and we certainly will not stop.
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