Richard Gere helped an immigrant ship to fail in the Mediterranean

Actor Richard Gere visited migrants rescued on Friday by a humanitarian ship stuck in the Mediterranean for more than a week, carrying boxes of fruit and telling them about their problems. The Hollywood star's encounter with migrants took place in the midst of a debate on immigration that European countries failed to resolve.

Gere brought food and other supplies by boat to the 121 people aboard Open Arms, a rescue boat stopped in international waters near the Italian island of Lampedusa and banned from flying. 39, enter the Italian and Maltese ports. These countries want the other countries of the European Union to welcome more immigrants crossing the sea.

The actor, aged 69, has talked with several immigrants who fled Libya aboard precarious ships before being rescued, including a man with his baby. Gere, who has two children, showed them pictures of his youngest son, born in February.

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Gere has a long tradition of human rights activism and has often led campaigns for the environment and AIDS research. The actor was expelled from China for defending human rights in Tibet.

Gere was in Italy this week and, after learning about the ship's situation, he contacted the Spanish Open Arms charity and asked him, "How can I help?", Said a spokeswoman for the group. The badociated press.

Two days later, Gere was in Lampedusa to help load a supply ship.

"The most important thing for these people here is to be able to reach a free port, get off the ship, disembark and start a new life," said Gere, inviting the world to "please, support we here with open arms and help these people, our brothers and sisters. "

"The most important thing for these people here is to be able to reach a free port, get off the boat, disembark and start a new life," said Gere, who urged the world to "he-" please support us here with open arms and help these people, our brothers and sisters. "

Other European countries have not yet responded to the request of the humanitarian group to find a solution to the stalemate.

According to the International Organization for Migration, 39,289 migrants and refugees arrived in Europe by sea this year until August 4, or 34% less than during the same period in the same period. 2018. It is said that another 840 people died that day. year in the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean, from North Africa to Europe.