Activists say boat was seized after taking 180 rescued people to Lampedusa and has been impounded for 20 days for violating new Italian laws

In the face of a humanitarian crisis caused by governor Abbott busing migrants to sanctuary cities, artists Guadalupe Maravilla and Mariana Parisca and PPOW gallery are gathering supplies and donations

The vessel was on loan from the town of Augusta, which intends to turn it into a memorial for the hundreds of migrants who died on board in 2015

The British artist accused European authorities of "deliberately" ignoring distress calls issued by the overwhelmed Louise Michel, a vessel he financed to aid migrants crossing the Mediterranean

The boat, which has rescued 89 people so far, boasts work by the British street artist on its side