Pia Klemp left her home in Germany to travel the world with Sea Shepherd, a group founded by Giraffe Paul Watson to patrol the oceans, stopping whalers and fur hunters.

While working as a cook, diver, and deckhand, she was also earning her sea captain’s licence. That positioned her for her next move—rescuing desperate people at sea. In two years, Klemp saved over 14,000 people who were in danger of dying as they struggled toward better lives.

They were setting out in boats and rafts to escape wars, authoritarian regimes, gangs, poverty, and internment camps. They were leaving shores across the Mediterranean, hoping to reach a better life in Europe.

The Italian government seized Klemp's ship, the Iuventa. They also took phones and computers, and arrested her for "cooperating with human traffickers," a charge that’s been determined by researchers to be totally false.

The British artist Banksy gave Kemp a new ship, the Louise Michel, and she went back to her rescue work. The Italian government seized that ship too, with 178 migrants on board.

Ports across the Mediterranean have been closed to rescue ships. Bans are in place everywhere and the escape routes effectively stopped.

Awaiting trial and facing up to 20 years in prison, Klemp points out the no one aiding white Europeans has been arrested or even stopped from providing that aid. Only those who have helped people of color have been targeted.

She’s ready for the fight ahead.

“There is no way I am going to prison for saving people in distress. It is the most ridiculous thing on so many different levels. And I will never accept anything else but acquittal.”