Dealing

The local prosecutor has started an investigation concerning the possible distribution of illegal drugs, being abortion pills, in Polish territory. The prosecutors say they suspect that the missing pills from the Langenort are being sold in Poland.

A few days later Women on Waves will also have to cancel a voyage to international waters. The Langenort crew and the doctors are summoned to the police station for questioning and there will be no more time to sail to international waters.

June 27 2003
We hear through the media that the local prosecutor's office in Puck (an anti-abortion stronghold) is forced to start an investigation concerning the possible distribution of illegal medicine on Polish territory. The prosecutors say that they suspect that the missing Mifegyne pills kept on board Langenort are being sold on Polish territory. Although this investigation causes a considerable media stir, the prosecutor assures us that we should not worry about them pressing charges. Of course Women on Waves has not distributed any medication on Polish territory. If we had we wouldn't have needed a ship to sail out to international waters.

Press team, Jeannette: "It never occurred to me that one day I would be uncomfortable crossing the street to get something stupid as a pack of cigarettes. Being followed by six guys and encircled by them, having eggs thrown at me, the threats and insults by phone and e-mail or by screaming at me has this uncanny effect on me. I try to ignore it, but it gets under my skin. Some hours of the day I feel relaxed and the intimidation has no effect on me, at other times I ask other people to walk me to a store or café so I feel safe while moving around town."

Hotline team, Yvette: “When women call the hotline asking for the pill I can only respond that it is not possible for me to talk about those things on Polish territory. “

Some hotline messages:
- J., 20 years old from Lublin, last period on June 5th. She had been taking the Logest anti-conception pill. After 2 weeks she stopped taking the Pill and had unprotected sex. 40 hours after intercourse she took the morning-after pill. She thought that normally she should get her period after 4 hours. But her period hasn't started yet. She asks if there is something that could have influenced the effectiveness of the morning-after pill. Would a doctor be able to see anything on the sonogram? Are the pills harmful if she is pregnant? When should she take a pregnancy test? We advise her on all her questions.
- S., 16 years old from Wejcherowo last period the end of April. It’s too late to help her. We advise her to look at the website.
- J., 37 years old from Kwidzyn, last period June 2nd, positive pregnancy test. She is crying on the phone and asks us to be very discreet on the phone if her son answers. She phones again on June 28th but then gives up trying to call us. She has passed the deadline.
- A. 19 years old from Goldap last period on May 14th. We make an appointment with her, and she will try to come the next morning to Wladyslawowo.

Gazeta Wyborcza, 27-06-2003: “Polish Women Sail Too�: The abortion ship Langenort sailed out on Thursday with 11 volunteers. Giertych, a politician from the LPR said that the army was protecting the Langenort and that he was mocked for not understanding the difference between the border patrol and the army. Piotr Gadzinowski of the SLD (Social Democratic Party) asked how it was possible that such violent attacks on the Langenort were allowed to happen.

Jolanta Twardowska, spokesperson of the customs office at Gdynia: "According to our counts there are indeed some pills missing. However there is no violation of the customs regulations. The ship was outside territorial waters when the seal was broken, which is allowed."

Kazimierz Olejnik, general prosecutor-elect: "If something is missing, according to our procedures we have to investigate what has happened to it. That is what we will do." The investigation concerning the distribution of abortion pills has already started in Gdansk. "We are going to investigate why there are pills missing from the ship. It is difficult to tell when we will complete the investigation. Because there were also Polish citizens on board while the seals were removed we can not exclude a breach of the law. Such a violation of the law is punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment".

BBC News, 27-6-2003: Abortion Ship Extends Polish Stay. “The crew of the floating Dutch abortion clinic has said that their ship will stay at a Polish port for another week despite protests by opponents.� The BBC’s Adam Eason in Warsaw says the visit of the Langenort has prompted talk-show discussions, parliamentary debate and vitriolic condemnation from the Church and conservative political leaders. "The ship’s visit angered Poland’s influential Roman Catholic Church and anti-abortion groups that have asked prosecutors to investigate if its presence violates Poland’s laws.�

Polish volunteer, Monika: "On the way to Wladyslawowo, I knew that I was about do something important and necessary. I knew I had to fight for the right to decide about our own bodies. But only after I sailed away for the first time did I realise how absurd and hostile the Polish law is to women. A woman who wants to follow her own feelings and conscience is forced to board a ship that sailed 5 days for her from a foreign country and comes here to help sail her away from the jurisdiction of this fucked-up country. I saw women covering their faces like orthodox Muslims. I witnessed women being subjected to body searches and a humiliating customs clearance. This was, according to the words of the customs officials, “normal procedure�. The protesters yelled “murderers� at us and threw eggs at the women who came here to help. I’m furious and I want to cry, but such an experience gives me a lot of power and determination for activities in the future."

investigators on the ship

Goodbye

The Langenort leaves to return the Netherlands. Weather is rough and emotions…

The last trip

The Langenort sails to international waters very early in the morning to avoid…

Artists or abortion doctors?

Women on Waves are invited to participate in an art event at Modelarnia, a…

Kremlin, Acropolis, Eiffel Tower, Langenort!

The Langenort does not sail out again due to weather conditions, and instead…

Open Ship

An open house day is held on the ship to be able to provide more information.

Support us

In Wroc?aw a demonstration takes place to support the actions of Women on Waves.

Active media

Washington Times 29-06-2003, Joe Bob's week in review: "The Langenort, a…

Sailing again

The Langenort sails out into international waters for the second time. There…

To international waters

The Langenort can finally sail to international waters to provide Polish women…

Teaching those who want to learn

The ship moved to a publicly more accessible space so that press and visitors…

A letter of support, a drop of truth.

On the fourth day of the campaign, it almost seemed like this hectic isolated…

Custom officials

On the 22nd of June the pharmaceutical experts identify 180 Cytotec pills and…

Arriving in Władysławowo

After 48 hours of negotiation with the harbor officials, the wind lifts up and…

Calling

DZIENNIK BALTYCKI: "There will be no pregnant women coming even as close as 10…

Press, police, politicians. and phones.

In the morning of the 21st of June, a press conference is held in the…

Bright Lights, Wrong City

When the Langenort finally arrives in Poland on the 20th of June, it finds no…

Attention

On the 19th of June at two pm Women on Waves sends their international press…

Keep the closet closed

On the 16th of June, the Langenort finally sails out, after first having the…

Clogged toilets and lawyers who never stop talking.

Meanwhile, the Langenort is having some difficulties. The Langenort's engine…

Fame! Glory! Compulsory EU leader tours!

In June 2003, Women on Waves got a spot in the first Biennial of Thessalonica…

Wladywhatta?

By April 2003, the crew, press team, medical team and translators are all in…

Leaking like a sieve.

Women on Waves is careful not to announce their trip to Poland, as not to allow…

Power to the... Church?

In January 2003 the Polish Government announces that a referendum will be held…

Condensed SexEd

In December 2002, Women on Waves gives one day workshops for medical…

License to question authority

Even though Women on Waves' application for a license as a first trimester…