Mishka Zena

Endless Pondering

Five Hunger Strike Protesters Ready To Die

“I went over to the hunger strike tent and chatted briefly with a few students and an alumnus.  I asked one of them the most difficult question that many of us have in the back of our minds, “are you ready to die?”  One of them paused and replied, “Yes, for Gallaudet University!”  That’s how serious they are about their hunger strike”.ASL Community Journal » Are U Ready to Die? & Trustees Are Scared!

Same here, Patty. When I got back on campus after the Capitol Rally last Saturday, I sat down with the hunger strike protesters and talked with seven for over four hours.  I didn’t ask them if they are really to die, but during the interviewing,  five volunteered that they are totally committed to the hunger strike and are ready to die for their beloved university.

While talking to them, I had to stop several times to wipe tears from my eyes. The majority looked so limp,  gaunt and pale. Their face were devoid of expression and most sat like zombies. Several napped during my stay there. One could see how difficult it was for most to sign nonstop.  Four protesters were so weakened that they had to take breaks from the interviews to rest. I hugged seven protesters when I was there, some twice or thrice.

On my way home from the campus, I was so heartbroken. When I got home, I sat down and  cried.

Has it come down to this point?

What happened to our beloved university?

October 24, 2006 - Posted by Mishka Zena | Uncategorized | | 8 Comments

8 Comments »

  1. The GU website said that the hungry strike protestors drank the high protein Boost, water, chicken soup, and V8 juice. Is that true?

    Comment by Greg | October 24, 2006 | Reply

  2. When I asked several protesters, they told me they only drink clear liquids, fruit/vegetable juices/ and clear chicken broth. I didn’t see any high protein drinks in their supply tent when I looked inside and took pictures.

    Comment by Mishka Zena | October 24, 2006 | Reply

  3. I agree with Mishka Zena. I checked on the hunger strike protestors this past weekend and saw the supply of drinks A(mostly water and juice) only in their tent. I didn’t see anything else. I am truly very worried about them.

    Comment by Peggy Virnig Mnich | October 24, 2006 | Reply

  4. theyre bein serious? what would parents feel if they die?

    Comment by emily | October 24, 2006 | Reply

  5. Are they dying on you or the Board of Trustees?

    Comment by Robert | October 24, 2006 | Reply

  6. It is not a solution to hunger strike to have Jane resign. It is unrealistic solution. It saddens me that faculty are supporting and encouraging hunger strikes on these students.

    Hunger Strikes against Iraq war until troops were being pulled out is unrealistic.

    Hunger Strikes against Bush for his policies until Bush resigns his Presidency is unrealistic.

    That’s why no one would do hunger strike because it would not solve anything.

    I am for protests but not hunger strikes. If one of them dies, they achieve nothing in this life. They have love for Gallaudet but hunger strike will achieve anything, not.

    Comment by Hunger Strikes must stop | October 25, 2006 | Reply

  7. I agree with one comment here. The hunger strikes does not solve anything but killing yourself. How lame is that?

    Comment by Donald Wall | October 25, 2006 | Reply

  8. The students and two alumni made this decision on their own. None of the faculty and staff encouraged them to. The hunger strikers are doing this in protest against what Jordan, Fernandes, and BoT are doing to their beloved university. Four of the strikers are international students and unable to participate in the sit in protest on Oct 13.

    Hunger strikes have been used as effective tactics to force the insistutions to address to the problems. It also garners a lot of media publicity, adding more pressure to the institutions.

    Comment by Mishka Zena | October 25, 2006 | Reply


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