Cynthia McKinney was a long-standing Democrat serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993-2003 for the state of Georgia. She is currently registered as a member of the Green Party and ran for President in the 2008 election.

On December 29, 2008, McKinney boarded the "SS Dignity," a boat headed towards Gaza to deliver medicine to the area that was closed off due to Israel's air strikes in the region.Ajc.com: Mckinney on Boat with Medicine for Gaza (December 30, 2008) The Free Gaza Movement claimed the boat was shot at and rammed by a navy ship.Haaretz.com: Pro-Palestinian activists say Israel Navy fired on boat off Gaza ... (December 30, 2008) Officials in Israel said no one was injured and the ship was escorted to the waters near Cyprus.FOXNews.com: McKinney Aboard Boat Headed for Gaza, Intercepted by Israeli... (December 30, 2008)

On December 30, 2008, the "SS Dignity," a boat carrying medical supplies and 16 passengers, including Cynthia McKinney, was reportedly rammed by an Israeli navy vessel as it tried to proceed to Gaza to deliver equipment. McKinney and a CNN reporter who was on board both agree that the "SS Dignity" was rammed. Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesman said the ships collided when the "SS Dignity" did not respond to a radio message warning it not to proceed into the closed military area.CNN: Gaza Relief Boat Damaged in Encounter with Israeli Vessel (December 30, 2008)

At a news conference on September 28, 2008, Mckinney claimed that a woman had called her about the execution and disposal of 5,000 prisoners in Louisiana. The woman claimed that her son was a National Guardsman involved in the dumping the bodies in a Louisiana swamp. McKinney accused the government of using Hurricane Katrina to cover-up the murders.Fox News: McKinney Accuses Government of Slaughtering Prisoners, Dumping Bodies During Katrina(October 2, 2008)

After receiving an international relations degree from USC, McKinney earned a Master's degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Her father, Billy McKinney, was a social activist in Atlanta who was eventually elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, inspiring her future political career.

McKinney was elected to the Georgia House in 1988. In 1992, she became the first African-American woman in Georgia to be elected to the U.S. House. McKinney's time in office came to an end when Denise Majette defeated her in the 2002 primaries.

In October 2007, McKinney came out in support of Cindy Sheehan's independent candidacy for Congress against Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, effectively cutting her Democratic ties. McKinney then cast her lot with the Green Party, filing to run as it's 2008 presidential candidate. On July 12, 2008, she was awarded the nomination at the Green Party convention in Chicago.

McKinney and Rosa Clemente were on the official ballot in 32 states, with write-in candidacy in 17 others.Green Party Watch: http://www.greenpartywatch.org/2008/11/04/green-party-election-results-presidential-race/ Green Party Watch - Presidential Race] (November 4, 2008) The Green Party candidates garnered just over 150,000 votes nationally.Green Party Watch: Election Hangover of Hope (November 5, 2008)