Under this declaration of intent, Open Arms appeals to the most essential side of people in a call to action to build together a more humane and fairer world.
According to the company, Human Being Humans conveys a clear message: It is natural and necessary to get involved in protecting the lives of other people who are in a vulnerable situation.
These principles have guided Open Arms ' work since its inception 7 years ago, and thanks to them, the lives and dignity of more than 66,000 people have been saved and preserved through rescue missions at sea, interventions in nursing homes and vulnerable groups during health emergencies in pandemics, and through humanitarian air corridors, in humanitarian flights that prove that legal and safe routes are possible.
All thanks to the solidarity and contribution of thousands of people who have supported from civil society.
In the words of Oscar Camps, director and founder of Open Arms: “The citizens who make up the Open Arms family, in addition to their commitment to sustaining our work, share a common attitude, especially now that humanity has ceased to be a concept and has become an urgent reality. We are launching this campaign to awaken the humanity within us all, because now more than ever we need humans acting like humans. Let's take care of each other.”
That's why, when others are in danger, we must return to our essence: being human. And more than ever, we need everyone's support to keep going.
Over the next few weeks, various actions and voices will be added to Humans being Humans, whose first audiovisual piece stars the American actor and activist Richard Gere, who has added his talent, image and voice to help Open Arms, once again.
Gere– who boarded the Open Arms ship in August 2019 during mission 65, for which former Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is currently being prosecuted for kidnapping in the Palermo Court – and other personalities from the world of culture and sports, such as Pep Guardiola, Joan Manuel Serrat, Marc Gasol, and Rigoberta Bandini, participated in the video, sharing images of their daily and family lives. By showcasing this experience as human beings, whether with family, in everyday life, or aboard the Open Arms Uno, the video highlights how all people, regardless of origin, sex, religion, or skin color, share something precious: life, emotions, plans, desires, and, above all, rights. And when these are threatened, our most basic instinct calls us to care for one another. As Richard Gere himself says: “Let’s take care of each other, please, let’s take care of each other.”
“We live in a moment in the history of humanity where hoaxes, fake news, gratuitous attacks and hatred seem to permeate our lives, that is why we need to add more than ever to Open Arms the solidarity of people who believe in humanity and that is why we appeal to the deepest essence of all people, so that together we can build a kinder, fairer and, above all, more humane world, where the protection of human life is the most important thing.”
