Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Sheehan Vows To Wage Hunger Strike in Crawford Texas


Anti War Movement Follows Tradition of Mahatma Gandhi and Alice Paul via --"Troops Home Fast"-- Hunger Strike
Cindy Sheehan began a hunger strike for peace yesterday. And she is not alone. Those who will join her include: Willie Nelson, Alice Walker, Dick Gregory, Sean Penn, Rev. Al Sharpton, Dolores Huerta, Kim Gandy, Howard Zinn, and Susan Sarandon.

The leaders of the anti-war movement are demanding the immediate return of the troops from Iraq.

A long list of celebrities will fast on designated days. Others will maintain longterm hunger strikes. Diane Wilson, co-founder of Code Pink, says she will not eat again until the troops come home.

Cindy Sheehan has vowed to maintain a hunger strike throughout the summer. She will put her body on the line outside pResident Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. There she will drink only water, tea, and juice. Sheehan plans to eat again on International Peace Day, September 1.

"We've marched, held vigils, lobbied Congress, camped out at Bush's ranch, we've even gone to jail, now it's time to do more," said Sheehan, who emerged as an anti-war icon after losing her 24-year-old son Casey in Iraq.

The hunger strike will see at least four activists, Sheehan, veteran comedian and peace campaigner Dick Gregory, former army colonel Ann Wright and environmental campaigner Diane Wilson launch serious, long-term fasts.

Other supporters, including Penn, Sarandon, novelist Alice Walker and actor Danny Glover will join a 'rolling" fast, a relay in which 2,700 activists pledge to refuse food for at least 24 hours, and then hand over to a comrade.

You can sign up to participate in the "Troops Home Fast" -- or simply learn more about it here.