#solidarity fast

[doyouwantapeaceofme]

Stop The Madness: Solidarity Fast for Emergency Climate Action

On Thursday students across the UC will be fasting in solidarity with the people of the Philippines. We invite you to join us.  We also ask that you please consider donating to relief efforts:http://nafconusa.org/ On November 8th, the strongest typhoon in recorded history made landfall in the Philippines and has left more than 4000 people dead. Many Filipinos in areas hit hardest by the typhoon have limited or no access to food. There are estimated to be over 800,000 refugees from this climate disaster.

People are dying because of climate change. But people are fighting too. ~~check out this video of Yeb's speech ~~ http://vimeo.com/79117298 ~~read "An Open Letter: Why we are Fasting This week" from Tufts and Brandeis college students http://stopthemadnessfast.wordpress.com/ --- What can you do? 1. Join the fast!  If fasting PLEASE register on this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1UTa-0ROUH9QsJ-HL9Qb9f46fGPI3Y2T5vu9OM9MZMyA/viewform This is crucial to making sure we have accurate counts for media and other sources. Thanks and sending much love! 2. Spread the word. Whether or not you are hunger striking, you can tell friends and family about the action! Talk about climate change and spread the message that we have the power to stop disasters like Typhoon Haiyan! 3. Sign this petition started by Yeb Saño himself, adressed to the delagates:https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/Stand_with_the_Philippines/?siFDlab 4. Participate in the #WeStandWithYou photo campaign: Folks are doing this from the Philippines to Norway to the Middle East. Please add your voice! Here's how you can bring that solidarity here into the halls of the UN and back to the Philippines. How? Make a placard with the text #WeStandWithYou - in the language of your choice. In addition, print out the red dot, cut it out of the paper, and wear it on the photo. You can take group photos or single ones.  You can also write "I Stand With You" on your palm and take a photo of it.  Send in the photos Please post your photos on this facebook page.  Change your profile pic Either you can change your picture to the red dot, or the photos that you took with the placard. Use the hashtag #WeStandWithYou.

[unsettlingideologies]

And So I Fast

Today I am participating in the solidarity fast with those prisoners who are currently on hunger strike. I've never fasted before. Never voluntarily went without food for any reason. For me, this fast serves as a reminder to reflect on and support the estimated 30,000 prisoners who are in the fourth day of their strike.

When I notice my own hunger, I am reminded of the depth of conviction it takes to starve oneself as a means of resistance.

I am reminded of how sad and infuriating it is that we as a society have put so many people in a position where organized, mass self-harm is the only means of resistance available to them. 

I am reminded of the sacrifices that these people are making in order to end the use of torture and fight for better conditions for all people we've locked in cages. And I am reminded that solidarity requires more than words. It requires us to take action. It requires us to be willing to sacrifice as well.

But more than anything else, I am reminded of my own privileged position. I am not in solitary. I am not in prison. I have the freedom to participate (or not) in this action without repercussions. And ultimately, my fast is primarily symbolic. At sundown, I will break my fast. I will eat. But those on hunger strike (whether in California, Oregon, Washington, or Guantanamo) will continue until their demands are met. I don't know that I'm yet capable of fully wrapping my mind around that reality.