John Turnbull from Canada is aboard the Handala during its English Channel voyage to Ireland and France. In 2018 he was the captain of the sailing vessel Freedom. Sailing and history have always been two passions in his life. Raised as a Unitarian, he has also been an activist for justice. Working with the Canadian Boat to Gaza was a natural progression. He participated on the Canadian Boat to Gaza, the Tahrir, in Greece and in Turkey as ground and support crew.
“I grew up in Canada at a time when Canadians took pride in their respect for Human Rights and their role in international affairs as peace keepers. Of course, this was a national myth, but there seemed to be an historical basis in a post-war world. I now understand that peace and justice prevail only when ordinary people demand it. Politicians don’t lead. Activists do.”
2024: conversation with Anas Altikriti on The London Circle.
The London Circle Podcast 05 June 2024:
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2018: Arriving Paris airport after the Freedom mission. Watch the photos, post his arrival on our Facebook page here.
And more pictures, here.
Listen to an audio interview with Captain John Turnbull when ‘Freedom’ was approximately 50 nautical miles from Gaza in international waters, sailing under a Swedish flag.