EUGENE, Ore. – A coalition of students, faculty and staff members at the University of Oregon are going on a hunger strike in solidarity with starving Palestinians in Gaza.
The hunger strike started at 9 a.m. on May 19. Strikers said they condemn what they call Israel’s campaign of mass starvation in Gaza. Hunger strikers are demanding that elected officials help send food and supplies to Gaza and cease providing aid and weapons to Israel. Strikers are also calling upon the UO to financially divest from companies involved with Israel, fulfill prior commitments to scholarships for Palestinian students, uphold sanctuary campus protections, and cease what they call the repression of speech and protest related to Palestine on campus.
The hunger strike is primarily led by the organization “UO Jewish Voice for Peace.” Organizers said that while some participants have committed to striking until they are no longer physically able, others are participating in shorter strikes meant to represent reports that the average resident of Gaza is only able to eat once every three days. Hunger strikers are gathered near the EMU on the UO campus.
