To all the heroes who work behind the scenes chipping away at the system.

To those who work alone and those who work in community.

To those who act directly and all those who support us.

To the campaign organisers, and the leafleters, the fund-raisers and fund givers.

To the people behind the big faces and names, the ones that cook and clean and care.

To the ones behind the cameras, behind the scenes.

To the ones who are pushing and the ones who are pausing; taking a deep breath and preparing.

To all who share knowledge, skills and wisdom.

To the captains and the the crew.

History may not remember your name but we will all know that you helped to write it.I see all that you do, the sweat, laughter, tears, blood, rage and love. I see the passion and commitment and do not ever question your motivation.

For the revolution to be real and lasting and truly be Anarchist it will never be because one name, one face made it happen. Anarchy is not about the individual but about the community. We must resist the drive of neoliberalisim to uplift one name or face to be the celebrity or ‘leader’ of the movement. The person the media crowds around and holds up as hero’s. We are all heroes, and we are all flawed and failing, making mistakes and getting it wrong. We are all trying, we are the revolution. #nogods #nokings #nomasters #noheros #Anarchy #Anarchist #revolution

I see you, I am you, I love you.

I have started my first week onboard one of the citizen rescue boats. I was motivated to join because I want to feel like I am doing something that actually helps.

I found out after travelling here that the ship, however will be in a mantinace period and will stay in port for the duration of my stay. I felt frustrated and unmotivated by this news.

Spending 2 months in Port feeding volunteers was not what I had in mind when I signed up. I knew as the Galley crew I would not be directly supporting people crossing the sea to escape violence and poverty in hope of anything better. But I hoped I could offer a warm meal cooked with love and care for the ones doing the rescues.

Sitting in Port on a beach holiday was definitely not my idea of direct action. Then I got to have a conversation with a person who has been doing this for several years, and they helped to remind me that maintenance periods are crucial for boats and are often the hardest to find volunteers for. Because everyone wants to be a hero and save lives but not many want to give up their summer to paint an old ship in 40° heat and 95% humidity for little to no recognition of their unpaid labour. But without this work the boats would quickly rust and sink in the highly saltly Mediterranean. Without maintenance of the engines the boats would not beat the national coast guards to secure the people for rescue and prevent them from being pushed back or murdered. Just as all the people who grow, pick, ship, roast and brew your coffee (or tea) are integral to your morning. So are we all integral to the function of the ship. The ships rescue over 100,000 people. Men, women, children and babies, who are risking everything thing to survive, violence, poverty and the climate crisis. Your donation is also integral to the maintenance of the ship and crew.

Please consider donating to

sea-watch.org/en/donate/

seapunks.de/en/donations/https://sos-humanity.org/en/donation/