The Conscience Ship was scheduled to set sail exactly 145 days ago to raise awareness about Gaza and promote peace in the Mediterranean. Initially, it planned to visit European ports to conduct awareness campaigns and later join the Freedom Flotilla on its journey to Gaza.
However, unfortunately, while ships from 12 different countries forming the Freedom Flotilla were ready to depart without any difficulties, the Conscience Ship, one of the Freedom Flotilla's representatives from Turkey, was denied permission to leave the ports.
During this period of denial, there was a lack of communication regarding the issue. Petitions submitted to inquire about the reasons for the refusal were left unprocessed. Finally, a ban was placed on the official representative of the Conscience Ship, who is also the President of the Mavi Marmara Association, Beheşti İsmail Songür, from entering the ports. This led to a chained protest in front of Gate C of Haydarpaşa Port on the 45th day of the ship being denied permission.
Despite the protest continuing day and night for 90 days, there was no progress regarding the Conscience Ship's departure. To draw attention to this Freedom Vigil and to ensure the Conscience Ship could set sail for freedom, the "Grand Gaza March" was held on December 1, 2024.
Thousands of men, women, children, and the elderly braved the cold weather to participate in the march, calling on authorities to grant the Conscience Ship its freedom.
The march began at Üsküdar Square and concluded at the Freedom Vigil area in front of Gate C of Haydarpaşa Port, ending with prayers for Gaza's liberation from oppressors.