"Prayer is My Food": A Report from the Hunger Strike

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
By Scott Reynolds
I visited the Indian hunger strikers over at the embassy Sunday. Of the original group only one, Paul, who just had his 54th birthday this past week, has lasted the entire time. I had been feeling a bit guilty that I hadn't gone over in a while and I'm so glad I did. The site coordinator now is one of the students that fasted at Georgetown a couple of years back, so I think they are in capable hands. Paul is of course much thinner than when I saw him last and his voice is weak. He slept most of the time I was there. When we talked he spoke with an almost spiritual sense of conviction about doing this so others wouldn't have to endure the same exploitation he and his fellow workers had suffered. He said 'prayer is my food.' There wasn't a trace of bitterness or anger. He seemed almost serene. I forget sometimes that struggle isn't just about tactics and strategy, though those things are undeniably important. It's also about sacrifice and courage. Paul may not know that his campaign is an uphill battle that hasn't yet found much of a spotlight or a patron, but if he does know I'm pretty sure he doesn't care much. The successful hunger strike at Georgetown University lasted nine days. Gandhi fasted for 21.  Tomorrow will be day 20 for Paul. Amazing.
Reynolds is State & Local Labor Council Coordinator in the AFL-CIO's Office of State and Local Affiliates.