Pruebas 2

For over four months, masked federal officers have been arresting and disappearing immigrants attending their mandatory asylum court dates. Photojournalists in New York City fought to maintain their First Amendment right to observe the chaotic, cruel, and often violent breach of due process occurring daily in NYC’s immigration courts.

A documentary by Michael Nigro.

Transcript

Brad Lander (NYC Comptroller): These buildings have ceased to be courthouses. They are not places where judges are having hearings that are a meaningful part of the rule of law. These buildings are essentially abduction traps.

[TEXT] On May 29, 2025, journalists gained access to film in the hallways of the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building and the Ted Weiss Federal Building in lower Manhattan.

Both buildings contain multiple immigration courts open to the public

Dan Goldman (US Representative D-NY): They are now literally arresting people who are coming to court, who are following the law, who are doing things the right way. These are the exact opposite of convicted criminals and worst of the worst that Donald Trump said he was going to deport. These are people doing it the right way.

[TEXT] Hundreds have been detained, deported, and disappeared to other cities or other countries.

Dan Goldman (US Representative D-NY): This is gestapo-like behavior, where plainclothes officers wearing masks are terrorizing immigrants who are doing the right thing by going to court, following up on their immigration proceedings, and trying to come into this country lawfully, which is through asylum.

Speaker 1: You have the right to remain silent.

[Repeats in Spanish].

Speaker 2: [Speaking Spanish] No, please… My dad…

Speaker 3: [Shouting] Where’s my son? Where’s my son?

Speaker 4: You guys ask people to do it the legal way, they do it, and this is how you treat them.

Speaker 5: What’s your fucking family say about you? You fucking Nazi.

[Inaudible].

Speaker 6: Yo, get the fuck off me! I’m American!

Masked Border Patrol Officer: I can put my hands up, too [obscures camera].

Camera Operator 1: Yeah, you can.

[TEXT] Early on, agents did not wear tactical gear.

Few agents would identify themselves.

Camera Operator 2: Can you guys identify yourself, please?

Plainclothes Officer 1: I’m with the FBI.

Camera Operator 2: And your name is?

Plainclothes Officer 1: I decline to answer that, but we just have to do what we have to do and then we’ll be out of the way.

Speaker 7: The judge has trampled on his rights.

Plainclothes Officer 2: I apologize. But you have to talk to somebody at 26 Federal Plaza. We’re just following orders, ma’am.

Speaker 7: There’s no one who…

Camera Operator 2: Just following orders? Are you with the FBI as well?

Speaker 7: Can I get your name?

Masked Plainclothes Officer 1: I don’t have to answer that.

Speaker 7: Can I get your supervisor and what department you’re from?

Speaker 8: We need to close the door. Excuse me.

[TEXT] Activists and court observers were also allowed in these public spaces.

They would later be restricted from being in the hallways.

No cameras are allowed inside the waiting rooms or courtrooms.

Speaker 9: Excuse me. Excuse me.

Speaker 5: [Inaudible] fucking ashamed. Jesus fucking Christ.

Speaker 4: Shame on you. Shame, shame, shame.

Speaker 5: Fuck you, fucking Nazi.

Speaker 4: Shame.

Speaker 5: You are a Nazi.

Speaker 4: Shame on you. This is disgusting. Shame. [Camera shutters clicking].

Speaker 5: Move me out of the way. I’m an American citizen.

Plainclothes Officer 2: You are impeding arrest.

Speaker 5: Move me.

Plainclothes Officer 2: You are impeding arrest.

Speaker 5: Move me. Move me.

Speaker 4: Shame, shame, shame.

Speaker 5: Fucking fascists.

Do you tell your mom you’re a Nazi? Did you dream about this when you were fucking growing up? Huh? Huh? Huh?

Speaker 4: Who are you? Who are you? I don’t know who you are.

Speaker 5: What’s your fucking family say about you? You fucking Nazi. Fucking SS, that’s who you are.

Speaker 4: I don’t know who you are. Why are you [inaudible].

Speaker 5: Fucking Nazi. Take your mask off you fucking coward. Take it off. Take it off.

Speaker 10: [Inaudible]

Speaker 11: Fucking abominations of people.

Speaker 5: Fuck you. Nazi! Fuck you!

[Slams fists on door].

[TEXT] Being undocumented in America is not a criminal offence.

It is a civil violation – Just like a speeding ticket.

The courts are the sanctioned process to determine asylum eligibility.

Agents often ignore a judge’s ruling and make arrests anyway.

Brad Lander (NYC Comptroller): The judge just granted every one of the people that’s about to leave this courtroom a continuance until Nov. 4, 2026. She advised every one of them of their right to have their cases heard in person, to be able to tell their stories. She asked them if they feared persecution, that they are entitled to have lawyers. She told them that they would have a list of the lawyers that might be provided free or low cost, although I’m told it hasn’t been updated since 2023, even though the city and the state are providing a lot of resources for lawyers.

So anyone that [inaudible] God, including these families, they are violating the Convention Against Torture, and they are certainly violating Judge Adams’ very well-described rights.

Speaker 12: There’s a baby. There’s a baby, guys [crosstalk].

Officer 1: Make a hole –

Speaker 13: Not in the courtroom. Not in the courtroom. Not in the courtroom.

Masked Officer: No pictures in the courtroom.

Speaker 12: Guys –

Masked Officer: No pictures of the courtroom.

Speaker 12: Just hold him on the side, right here.

No photograph inside the courtroom.

Masked Officer: Make a hole! Make a hole!

Hey, just take them, just take them, just take them. We’ll come find you.

[Crosstalk].

Speaker 12: It doesn’t matter their identity, it doesn’t matter who they are, you don’t even know –

Camera Operator 3: I got your back, I got your back.

Speaker 14: Sir, what country are you from?

Speaker 1: You don’t have to show documents. You have the right to remain silent [Spanish].

Masked Officer: Make a hole! Make a hole now! Make a hole now!

Speaker 15: Here we go.

Out of the door.

Masked Officer: Make a hole now! Out of the damn way!

[TEXT] «…70.3% held in ICE detention have no criminal conviction … Many of those convicted committed only minor offenses, including traffic violations.»

– Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), Sept. 2, 2025.

Speaker 16: Why is he being detained?

Speaker 17: What is the reason for his detainment?

Is the reason for detaining him, has he done anything? Has he broken any laws?

Speaker 16: He has another court date. He has another court date. He’s been released by the judge.

Speaker 17: His court date is set for next May. Why is he being detained?

[TEXT] Detained immigrants are taken to the 10th floor and sometimes held for weeks.

Despite legal precedent, politicians have been denied entry into those rooms.

In August 2025, a leaked video exposed serious issues in the 10th floor holding cells, including overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of medical care, [and] limited legal access.

Speaker 18: …I’m sure you’re following federal orders.

Speaker 19: Who’s out there?

Speaker 20: Don’t open the door.

Speaker 21: I got you. Who’s out there?

Speaker 19: Press.

Speaker 21: OK.

Julia Salazar (New York State Senator): And elected officials.

Speaker 22: Why won’t you open the door?

Speaker 23: State elected officials and city elected officials.

Speaker 24: Please do open the door.

Julia Salazar (New York State Senator): We’re just asking to observe.

Emily Gallagher (New York State Representative): It’s our right as elected officials to observe the conditions our constituents are in.

Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (New York State Rep.): We’re happy to wait as long as you need us to wait.

Robert Carroll (New York State Representative): Court proceedings can’t be fair if they’re done in the dark.

Emily Gallagher (New York State Representative): Yeah. A federal judge ruled yesterday that no one should be detained up here and that we should be able to enter.

Gustavo Rivera (New York State Senator): And since we know the folks are here, we just want to observe their conditions. That’s all.

[TEXT] After an hour-long standoff, Homeland Security arrested the 11 elected lawmakers.

Crowd: We want justice for our people!

Officer 2: Back up! If you impede, you will be placed under arrest!

Crowd: We want justice for our neighbors!

Officer 3: On that side, please. On that side.

Crowd: One! Two! A little bit louder! Three!

Officer 2: Make a hole! If you impede, you will be placed under arrest!

Speaker 25: Five!

Photojournalist: Violence…

[Camera shutters clicking].

Masked Officer: Move, move, move!

Masked Plainclothes Officer 2: Keep walking, guys. Come on, keep going. Keep walking. Keep walking. Come on.

Masked Plainclothes Officer 3: Move out of the way!

Speaker 26: [Speaking Spanish].

Benjamin Remy, Esq.: That was an asylum-seeker from Venezuela. He was given his final hearing, and unfortunately, he was grabbed as soon as he left the room, so there will be no due process for this man. He’ll be shipped out somewhere across the country to a detention facility and he’ll have to start essentially from scratch.

Camera operator 4: Stand back. It’s a pregnant woman.

Speaker 27: Thank you.

Masked Plainclothes Officer 4: Clear a path, please.

More space, more space, more space.

[To the press] Get out of the fucking way! You do that one more fucking time, I’ll fucking arrest you.

Allison Cutler, Esq.: And I said that to them. I was like, she is pregnant and you’re detaining her. She’s in her final trimester, obviously, she’s incredibly pregnant, and you’re detaining her anyway. You can cause a miscarriage doing that.

The pregnant women really get me.

Speaker 28: Oh, honey.

Allison Cutler, Esq.: Because we had a client whose wife suffered a miscarriage after she witnessed him being detained.

Speaker 29: I remember that, yeah.

Allison Cutler, Esq.: And so you could literally cause a miscarriage at this point.

Speaker 30: Do you know the nationality?

Allison Cutler, Esq.: [Shakes head «no»].

I told them she’s pregnant. She’s obviously extremely pregnant. I told the client to tell him what medication she…

[TEXT] The White House has directed that people can be deported to countries they’re not from.

Speaker 31: [Spanish] Please, please, no.

Masked Plainclothes Officer 5: Out the way!

[Speaking Spanish].

Speaker 31: [Crying].

[TEXT] Naturalization ceremonies are held in the same building.

«Overall, immigration courthouse arrests have been nearly 14 times as common in New York City than the country as a whole. They made up 7% of all ICE arrests in the city since President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20 through June, compared to 0.5% nationally over the same period of time.»

– «NYC Is the Nation’s Capital of Immigration Courthouse Arrests, New Data Analysis Shows» by Haidee Chu and Gwynne Hogan THE CITY, Aug. 11, 2025.

Protests outside the buildings while court is in session have become common.

Protesters: No ICE! No KKK, no fascist USA!

No ICE! No KKK, no fascist USA!

No ICE! No KKK, no fascist USA!

Masked Plainclothes Officer 4: We’re ICE, OK? You’re being detained.

Officer 4: Back up, back up, back up. Back up!

Officer 3: Everyone, get back!

Speaker 32: But you don’t have beds here?

Speaker 33: We do not have beds here.

Protesters: [Singing «Amazing Grace»] I once was lost…

[Chanting].

Officer 5: You will be placed under arrest and charged with disorderly conduct.

Chant Leader: How do you spell «kidnappers?»

Protesters: I-C-E!

Jumaane Williams (New York City Public Advocate): It’s possible that the 4-year-old daughter would be taken and the mom would be left.

Officer 5: Please make a hole.

Speaker 34: Watch the water fountain, guys, behind you.

Speaker 35: Help, help –

Protesters: [Yelling].

Masked Plainclothes Officer 6: I’ll explain everything to you in a minute.

Detained Man: [Spanish] Thank you very much.

Speaker 36: Don’t try to push my hand. This is as far as you go.

[TEXT] On Sept. 9, 2025, the Supreme Court lifted a ruling preventing ICE from targeting people without probable cause in Los Angeles.

Critics say the ruling allows «blatant racial profiling.»

Profiling has been observed in the NYC court hallways since May 29, 2025.

Speaker 38: Get the fuck off me! I know my rights! You guys are harassing me!

Masked Plainclothes Officer 7: Get back, get back, get back.

Speaker 6: You’re harassing me! Stop harassing me! I’m American, motherfuckers! Get the fuck off me!

Masked Plainclothes Officer 7: I understand. Go ahead, bro.

Speaker 6: Stop touching me! Don’t touch me, nigga! I know my rights! Yo, get the fuck off me! I’m American!

This is a fucking public building!

[Crosstalk]

Fuck you!

Masked Plainclothes Officer 7: Go that way! Get out of here! Get out of here!

Speaker 6: Don’t touch me! Stop touching me!

[Crosstalk]

A public building!

[Crosstalk]

Excuse me, I got to get my stuff. Excuse me. Excuse me. Good boy.

Where’s my stuff at? Y’all threw it on the floor, huh?

Masked Plainclothes Officer 7: Well, you – [Crosstalk].

Speaker 6: …Move out of people’s way, huh? Y’all want to harass everybody in the fucking world. Y’all got nothing else better to do?

You touching me, sir.

Masked Plainclothes Officer 8: You’re touching me.

Speaker 6: You’re touching my butt.

Masked Plainclothes Officer 8: You’re touching me. [Crosstalk].

Touching your butt? You should be so lucky.

Speaker 6: Oh?

Masked Plainclothes Officer 8: You should be so lucky.

Speaker 6: I got five kids, homie, I don’t need it.

Masked Plainclothes Officer 8: Sure seems like it. You should be at home taking care of your kids.

Speaker 6: And I do take care of my kids. What do you do for a living, harass people?

Masked Plainclothes Officer 8: Yeah.

Speaker 6: All right, that’s what I thought.

I dislike you for what the fuck you do, and I bet you $100 million your dumbass family’s not even from here! We all come from somewhere, you stupid motherfucker.

Masked Plainclothes Officer 8: Being racist.

Speaker 6: Yeah, I’m not racist. You’re the racist one for touching me! Your men harassed me! Your men harassed me! Your men harassed me! That dumbass agent nigga that’s not even American harassed me. And his stupid ass! Your fucking ancestors came here, fucking shit!

Masked Plainclothes Officer 8: [Inaudible].

Speaker 6: Yeah, yeah, get mad, big boy! You can’t touch me, nigga, I’m American!

Masked Plainclothes Officer 9: Where’s security? Are we able to get him out of here?

Speaker 6: Security, no. I’m not done, sir.

Masked Plainclothes Officer 9: Are we able to get him out of here?

Speaker 6: I’m not done, sir. Excuse me, I got to go do paperwork.

Masked Painclothes Officer 10: You’re done, you’re done.

Speaker 6: Sir, I got to go talk to the lady.

Masked Painclothes Officer 10: Not right now.

Speaker 6: This is a public building.

Just do better. I pray for you. I hope to God he helps you and blesses you, and your life, and your family, and forgives you for your job, forgives you for everything that you did wrong [camera shutters clicking]. I pray to God he forgives you, I really do, and I forgive you. I forgive you for doing this to me today in front of all these people and cameras. I forgive you, and I pray for you. I pray for you, bro.

[TEXT] Masked agents stormed a courtroom when a scared asylum seeker ran back into court.

A judge had just granted him a continuance for 2027.

The agents arrested him anyway.

Masked Plainclothes Officer 11: Make a hole, make a hole, make a hole. Make a hole.

Masked Plainclothes Officer 4: Get out the way! Get out the way!

Speaker 39: Uh-oh.

Speaker 40: [Crying].

[Handcuffs closing].

Pendant plus de quatre mois, des agents federaux masques ont procede a des arrestations dans les couloirs des tribunaux d’immigration de New York, ciblant des personnes venues assister a leurs audiences d’asile. Des photojournalistes ont documente ces interventions et ont conteste les restrictions d’acces imposees aux observateurs publics.

Les images montrent des agents en civil et en uniforme, souvent sans identification, qui arretent des personnes immediatement apres leur sortie d’une salle d’audience, malgre des decisions de la juge accordant des reports et rappelant les droits des demandeurs. Des avocats et elus locaux ont declare que ces pratiques entravent le droit a une audition equitable et constituent une forme de detention administrative pour des infractions civiles, non penales.

Les temoins rapportent des scenes tendues : familles separees, personnes emmenees vers des zones de retention internes, et detenus transferes vers des centres eloignes. Des professionnels du droit ont alerte sur les conditions de detention – surpeuplement, hygiene insuffisante, acces medical limite et difficultes pour consulter un avocat – d’apres des images fuitees et des inspections. Des cas de femmes enceintes interpellees ont ete signales, suscitant des inquietudes medicales.

Des elus et observateurs ont tente d’acceder aux locaux de detention au sein des batiments federaux et, apres un face-a-face prolonge, certains ont ete eux-memes arretes, ce qui a amplifie les protestations publiques. A l’exterieur, des manifestations sont devenues frequentes lors des audiences, avec des chants et des slogans revendiquant la fin des arrestations dans les tribunaux.

Des analyses ont montre que New York concentre une part disproportionnee des arrestations liees aux tribunaux d’immigration au niveau national. Par ailleurs, des decisions federales ont assoupli les restrictions sur les actions d’immigration dans d’autres villes, alimentant les critiques sur le risque de profilage et d’arrestations sans motif apparent.

Les intervenants rappellent qu’etre en situation irreguliere n’est pas un crime penal mais une infraction civile et que la procedure judiciaire est le mecanisme prevu pour examiner les demandes d’asile. Ils denoncent l’impact de ces pratiques sur le droit a la defense, la securite des familles et la confiance dans le systeme judiciaire. Les autorites, quant a elles, invoquent l’application des directives federales.

Ce documentaire compile temoignages, images et declarations d’avocats, elus, journalistes et personnes concernees, visant a rendre compte des consequences humaines et juridiques de ces arrestations dans les espaces publics des tribunaux.

Imagen: TRNN – Maximillian Alvarez (editor en jefe) conversa con Mskwaasin Agnew, que navega con la Freedom Flotilla Coalition a bordo del barco Conscience (4 de octubre de 2025). Video incrustado: «Defying Israel, more ships sail to Gaza after Global Sumud Flotilla captured» (YouTube).

Resumen principal
– Segun el informe, Israel intercepto a todos los barcos y detuvo a los voluntarios que formaban parte de la Global Sumud Flotilla, lo que provoco protestas internacionales desde Buenos Aires hasta Barcelona. En Italia, sindicatos convocaron una jornada de huelga general en solidaridad con la flotilla.
– Mientras tanto, una flota mas pequena de la Freedom Flotilla Coalition continua su travesia hacia Gaza. El reportaje registra una conversacion (grabada el 4 de octubre de 2025) entre Maximillian Alvarez, editor en jefe de The Real News Network, y Mskwaasin Agnew, sanitaria indigena (Cree y Dene) de la Salt River First Nation, que viaja en el Conscience.

Invitada
– Mskwaasin Agnew: Cree y Dene de Salt River First Nation, nacida y criada en Toronto. Es trabajadora sanitaria, primera interviniente con personas que consumen drogas y practicante de reduccion de danos indigena. Tambien participa como organizadora, defensora del territorio y activista en solidaridad con Palestina y con los pueblos originarios.

Enlaces y referencias
– Freedom Flotilla Coalition: Linktree y cuenta de Instagram.
– Reportajes relacionados en The Real News Network (articulos citados por Marc Steiner y Maximillian Alvarez).

Creditos
– Produccion de estudio / Postproduccion: Maximillian Alvarez, David Hebden.

Transcripcion (nota)
– La transcripcion disponible se indica como apresurada y puede contener errores; se publicara una version revisada cuando este disponible.

Sintesis de la entrevista (puntos clave)
– Detenciones y respuesta internacional: La conversacion comienza senalando que todos los miembros de la Global Sumud Flotilla entrevistados por The Real News han sido detenidos tras la intercepcion. Se menciona ademas una posicion publica de un alto cargo israeli que propone encarcelar a los activistas en lugar de deportarlos.
– Motivacion y legalidad: Mskwaasin explica que la flotilla actua por conviccion humanitaria y en defensa del derecho internacional, y que, segun su relato, es Israel quien estaria violando el derecho internacional al mantener el bloqueo y rechazar la entrada de ayuda humanitaria.
– Situacion sanitaria en Gaza: En la embarcacion viajan profesionales sanitarios con experiencia en Gaza. Se describe una situacion critica en los hospitales de la franja -danos, colapso de instalaciones y falta de equipo- y se alude a un alto numero de personas con amputaciones, incluidos ninos. Algunos de los sanitarios de la flotilla planean quedarse en Gaza si logran entrar para atender a la poblacion.
– Perspectiva indigena y solidaridad: Mskwaasin contextualiza su participacion desde la experiencia indigena en Norteamerica (Turtle Island), senalando paralelismos entre los sistemas coloniales y resaltando las responsabilidades historicas de Canada y Estados Unidos. Menciona documentos y posiciones oficiales que, segun su comentario, no se han traducido en acciones concretas por parte de los gobiernos.
– Mensaje y acciones sugeridas: La activista afirma que la flotilla busca poner el foco en Gaza y exige sanciones y un embargo de armas bilateral hacia Israel. Recomienda a la poblacion escribir a sus representantes, firmar peticiones, participar en protestas y acciones de desobediencia civil, y presionar por medidas mas contundentes que solo cartas o firmas.

Cierre
– La invitada recalca que el objetivo principal es visibilizar la situacion en Gaza y que los riesgos asumidos por quienes participan en la flotilla son conscientes. La entrevista concluye con un llamamiento a intensificar la solidaridad y la accion publica en favor de medidas politicas que, segun los organizadores, podrian aliviar la crisis humanitaria.

Summary:
Reporters for The Real News Network say that vessels and volunteers from the Global Sumud Flotilla were intercepted and detained by Israeli authorities, triggering international protests from cities including Buenos Aires and Barcelona and a one-day general strike in Italy. A separate, smaller group sailing with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition is continuing toward Gaza. On Oct. 4, 2025, TRNN Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez interviewed Mskwaasin Agnew, a Cree and Dene healthcare worker from Salt River First Nation, who is on board the ship Conscience with the Freedom Flotilla.

Guest profile:
– Mskwaasin Agnew – Cree and Dene from Salt River First Nation, raised in Toronto. She works as a first responder for people who use drugs and practices Indigenous harm reduction. She is also an organizer, land defender, and involved in Palestinian-First Nations solidarity efforts.

Key points from the interview (paraphrased):
– According to the program, all vessels and volunteers associated with the Global Sumud Flotilla were intercepted and detained by Israeli authorities, prompting global demonstrations and solidarity actions.
– The Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s ship Conscience was en route in the Mediterranean, a few days from its destination and approaching what participants described as a high-risk zone.
– Agnew described the flotilla’s mission as a humanitarian effort justified under international law to deliver aid to Gaza. She said the flotilla’s members include healthcare workers and journalists with on-the-ground experience in Gaza.
– The interview discussed severe damage to Gaza’s health infrastructure and widespread civilian suffering. Agnew said hospitals and temporary treatment sites there have been repeatedly targeted, leaving many patients without adequate care. She noted that medics aboard the Conscience planned to remain in Gaza if they succeeded in landing.
– Speaking from an Indigenous perspective, Agnew drew parallels between settler colonialism in Turtle Island (North America) and the situation in Palestine. She cited historical and ongoing harms faced by Indigenous peoples and framed her participation as an act of global Indigenous solidarity.
– Agnew urged supporters to press their elected officials to impose sanctions, including a two-way arms embargo on Israel, rather than limiting advocacy to letters and petitions. She encouraged mass public actions such as protests and direct actions to increase pressure.

Additional resources mentioned:
– Freedom Flotilla Coalition – link pages and Instagram profile (as referenced in the broadcast).
– Related TRNN reports linked in the original broadcast included coverage of U.S. veterans on the Global Sumud Flotilla and interviews with participants before interceptions.

Production credits and transcript note:
– Studio production and post-production: Maximillian Alvarez, David Hebden.
– The broadcast included a recorded interview and a transcript labeled as a rushed version that may contain errors; a proofread transcript was to be made available later.

If you want, I can produce a shorter summary, a verbatim cleaned transcript of the interview text, or a neutral news-style article based on this material.

Photo: TRNN Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez (right) speaks with Mskwaasin Agnew (left) aboard the vessel Conscience on Oct. 4, 2025.

Video: «Defying Israel, more ships sail to Gaza after Global Sumud Flotilla captured» (YouTube)

Summary
Israel intercepted and detained all vessels and volunteers from the Global Sumud Flotilla, prompting international protests from Buenos Aires to Barcelona. In Italy, unions organized a one-day general strike in solidarity with the flotilla. A separate, smaller group of ships organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition is currently en route to Gaza. On Oct. 4, 2025, TRNN Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez spoke with Mskwaasin Agnew, a Cree and Dene healthcare worker from Salt River First Nation, who is sailing aboard the Conscience with the Freedom Flotilla.

Guest
Mskwaasin Agnew – Cree and Dene from Salt River First Nation, raised in Toronto. She is a first responder and Indigenous harm-reduction practitioner, and is active as an organizer, land defender and abolitionist. Agnew is involved in Palestinian and Indigenous solidarity work and is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition crew.

Related links and reporting
– Freedom Flotilla Coalition: linktree and Instagram pages
– Marc Steiner, The Real News Network: «US veterans’ final message from the Global Sumud Flotilla before being intercepted by Israel»
– Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network: «‘If I’m killed on this mission…’: Global Sumud Flotilla sets sail for Gaza despite Israel’s threats»
– Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network: «Why US veterans are sailing to Gaza with the Global Sumud Flotilla»

Production credits
Studio production / post production: Maximillian Alvarez, David Hebden

Transcript note
The available transcript was rushed and may contain errors. The following is a neutral summary of the interview’s main points.

Key points from the interview (summary)
– Current situation and mission: Agnew reported she was aboard the Conscience with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, roughly four days from Gaza and traveling in the eastern Mediterranean. The flotilla had joined with additional vessels and was approaching the area described as the «red zone.»
– Purpose and legal framing: The flotilla’s stated purpose is to deliver humanitarian aid and to challenge what participants say is an illegal blockade. Agnew asserted the mission is grounded in international law and described the flotilla as composed of healthcare workers, journalists and other volunteers.
– Response to interceptions: Agnew said the crew remained determined despite Israel’s interception and detention of members of the Global Sumud Flotilla. She criticized actions by Israeli authorities and described concerns about detention conditions and calls by some Israeli officials to imprison activists.
– Healthcare conditions in Gaza: Agnew and other medical volunteers on board cited severe shortages and attacks on medical facilities in Gaza. They said hospitals and makeshift treatment sites have been targeted and that health workers and patients face life-threatening conditions, including high numbers of child amputees and limited access to medical supplies and equipment.
– Indigenous perspective and solidarity: Agnew connected her participation to Indigenous experiences in North America, citing parallels between settler colonial policies historically applied in Canada and the Israeli occupation. She referenced statements by some Indigenous organizations recognizing Palestinian rights and framed her participation as an act of global Indigenous solidarity.
– Calls for international action: Agnew encouraged political pressure on governments, emphasizing calls for sanctions and a two-way arms embargo. She recommended constituents contact elected representatives and said many participants view direct public actions-such as protests and strikes-as necessary beyond petitions and letters.

What participants asked of the public (as reported)
– Raise awareness about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
– Contact government representatives about sanctions and arms embargoes.
– Consider public demonstrations and other collective actions to increase political pressure.

This summary reflects statements made during the on-board interview and linked reporting; it does not independently verify claims made by participants or by other parties involved.

Israel intercepted and detained volunteers from the Global Sumud Flotilla, prompting global protests from Buenos Aires to Barcelona and a nationwide strike in Italy. A separate Freedom Flotilla Coalition fleet is en route to Gaza. On Oct. 4 TRNN Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez spoke with Mskwaasin Agnew, a Cree and Dene healthcare worker from Salt River First Nation, who is sailing aboard the Conscience.

Guest:

Mskwaasin Agnew – Cree and Dene from Salt River First Nation, Toronto; first responder, Indigenous harm reduction practitioner, organizer and solidarity activist.

Additional links/info:

Freedom Flotilla Colation Freedom Flotilla Coalition linktree and Instagram

Marc Steiner, The Real News Network, «US veterans’ final message before interception»

Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, «Global Sumud Flotilla sets sail despite threats»

Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, «Why US veterans sailed with the flotilla»

Credits:

Studio Production / Post Production: Maximillian Alvarez, David Hebden

Transcript

The following is an unedited transcript and may contain errors. A reviewed text will be posted when available.

In the interview Alvarez and Agnew discuss the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, attacks on hospitals and medical personnel, and the determination of flotilla crews to deliver aid. Agnew connects the struggle to Indigenous experiences of settler colonialism and urges international pressure, sanctions and public protest, including strikes and direct action, to end the blockade.

Israel intercepto y detuvo todos los barcos y voluntarios de la Flotilla Global Sumud, una accion que ha recibido criticas internacionales y provocado protestas en ciudades como Buenos Aires y Barcelona. En Italia, los sindicatos organizaron una huelga general de un dia, y se han realizado manifestaciones en muchos otros paises. Un grupo mas pequeno, organizado por la Freedom Flotilla Coalition, se dirige actualmente a Gaza. Grabada el sabado 4 de octubre, la entrevista de Maximillian Alvarez, editor jefe de TRNN, es con Mskwaasin Agnew, una trabajadora de la salud cree y dene de Salt River First Nation, que viaja a bordo del barco Conscience con la Freedom Flotilla.

Invitada:
Mskwaasin Agnew es cree y dene de Salt River First Nation y nacio y crecio en Toronto. Trabaja como primer respondedora para personas que usan drogas y es practicante indigena de reduccion de danos. Tambien es organizadora, defensora de la tierra y abolicionista, y participa en trabajos de solidaridad entre las comunidades palestinas e indigenas.

Enlaces e informacion adicional:
– Freedom Flotilla Coalition linktree e Instagram
– Marc Steiner, The Real News Network, «US veterans’ final message from the Global Sumud Flotilla before being intercepted by Israel»
– Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, «‘If I’m killed on this mission…’: Global Sumud Flotilla sets sail for Gaza despite Israel’s threats»
– Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network, «Why US veterans are sailing to Gaza with the Global Sumud Flotilla»

Creditos:
Produccion de estudio / Postproduccion: Maximillian Alvarez, David Hebden

Transcripcion
La siguiente es una transcripcion rapida y puede contener errores. Se publicara una version revisada cuando este disponible.

Maximillian Alvarez:
Israel ha interceptado y detenido todos los barcos y voluntarios de la Flotilla Global Sumud, una medida que ha provocado condenas internacionales. Algunos funcionarios israelies han pedido que los detenidos enfrenten prision en lugar de deportacion, y el resultado para el movimiento internacional que desafia el bloqueo de Gaza dependera de la respuesta publica mundial. Grandes protestas y una huelga general de un dia en Italia muestran una solidaridad creciente, y una flotilla separada y mas pequena se dirige actualmente a Gaza. Ahora me acompana una miembro de la Freedom Flotilla, que llama desde a bordo del Conscience.

Mskwaasin Agnew:
Gracias por invitarme. Me llamo Mskwaasin Agnew. Soy cree y dene de Salt River First Nation y naci y creci en Toronto. Actualmente estoy a bordo del Conscience con la Freedom Flotilla Coalition, rumbo a Gaza. Soy trabajadora de la salud. Estamos a unas cuatro jornadas en el mar y nos encontramos recientemente con otras embarcaciones. Hay varios barcos en nuestro grupo y nos acercamos a la zona proxima a Egipto en el Mediterraneo.

Maximillian Alvarez:
Dado lo ocurrido recientemente, incluida la intercepcion de la Flotilla Global Sumud, como se sienten usted y la tripulacion al dirigirse hacia la llamada «zona roja»?

Mskwaasin Agnew:
Seguimos decididas a continuar. Creemos que entregar ayuda humanitaria es un acto licito y necesario. No esperamos que los gobiernos actuen como creemos que deberian, por eso la sociedad civil debe asumir la responsabilidad. En nuestra opinion, es el bloqueo de Israel el que viola el derecho internacional al impedir asistencia humanitaria. En nuestra tripulacion hay trabajadores de la salud y periodistas; nos preocupa que el personal medico y los periodistas en la region hayan sido blanco, lo que limita la conciencia publica sobre las condiciones en Gaza. Las restricciones en equipo y suministros medicos dificultan la atencion a pacientes. Por eso nos sentimos obligadas a seguir adelante.

Maximillian Alvarez:
Muchos profesionales medicos que regresan de Gaza han descrito condiciones catastroficas. Con los ataques continuos en la ciudad de Gaza y reportes de civiles, trabajadores de la salud y periodistas muertos, puede describir como se ve la situacion desde la perspectiva de quienes brindan atencion?

Mskwaasin Agnew:
Hay doctores, medicos y enfermeras en nuestro barco que han trabajado en Gaza; algunos son palestinos o tienen familia alli. Como trabajadores de la salud, sentimos el deber de cuidar a los pacientes. Hemos visto gente morir por condiciones tratables porque los hospitales han sido danados o destruidos y las instalaciones improvisadas tambien son atacadas. Todas las edades estan afectadas. En Gaza hay un numero particularmente alto de ninos que han sufrido amputaciones y otras lesiones graves. Como persona indigena, reconozco paralelos con la forma en que mi propia comunidad ha experimentado atencion medica insuficiente bajo sistemas coloniales. Algunos de los medicos en nuestro barco planean quedarse en Gaza si logramos entregar ayuda, lo que muestra la profundidad de su compromiso.

Maximillian Alvarez:
Como influye su identidad indigena y su experiencia en Norteamerica en la decision de unirse a esta mision?

Mskwaasin Agnew:
En Turtle Island (Norteamerica), los pueblos indigenas viven bajo sistemas coloniales de asentamiento. El sistema de reservas y otras politicas coloniales han perjudicado durante mucho tiempo a las comunidades indigenas, y esas historias informan nuestra solidaridad con los palestinos. Muchas naciones indigenas reconocen a los palestinos como pueblos indigenas con derechos segun el derecho internacional. Canada ha hecho disculpas formales por abusos historicos y ha reconocido la condicion de Estado de Palestina en ciertos contextos, pero muchas personas sienten que no ha actuado de forma significativa, por ejemplo aplicando sanciones o un embargo de armas. Mi presencia en esta mision es un acto de solidaridad indigena global; muchas comunidades indigenas en Turtle Island apoyan la lucha de Palestina y ven estos temas a traves del prisma de experiencias compartidas de despojo y supervivencia.

Maximillian Alvarez:
Le dejaremos porque tiene unos dias criticos por delante. Antes de irse, que mensaje espera que envie la flotilla y que pueden hacer las personas que la ven para apoyar su mision y a los civiles en Gaza?

Mskwaasin Agnew:
La flotilla en si no es la historia principal; el enfoque debe estar en Gaza y la crisis humanitaria alli. Sabemos que asumimos riesgos para visibilizar esa realidad. La gente puede tomar medidas practicas: escribir y llamar a sus representantes electos, firmar peticiones y apoyar medidas como sanciones y un embargo de armas total y reciproco. Al contactar a representantes, es importante instar a cambios politicos concretos en lugar de limitarse a expresar preocupacion por lxs activistas. Mas alla de peticiones y llamadas, las personas deberian considerar acciones publicas -manifestaciones, huelgas y otras formas de presion organizada- para exigir rendicion de cuentas y aumentar el apoyo para la ayuda humanitaria. Necesitamos una accion colectiva sostenida para lograr cambios.