Prominent Figures Join 5-Day Hunger Strike in front of White House for Ceasefire

Washington, DC - December 1, 2023

In a powerful demonstration of solidarity, actress Cynthia Nixon, alongside state legislators and activists, concluded a 5-day hunger strike outside the White House, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The hunger strike, initiated by eight activists and state legislators on Monday, gained momentum as over 20 individuals, including New York State Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, joined in throughout the week.

Highlights from the Hunger Strike:

Political and Celebrity Endorsements: Prominent figures, such as MI State House Majority Leader Abraham Aiyash, DE State Rep. Madinah Anton-Wilson, and VA State Rep. Sam Rasoul, united with Cynthia Nixon and others in a compelling display of commitment to the cause.

Labor Unions Rally Support: The hunger strike received a significant boost as the United Auto Workers (UAW) international announced their union's support for a permanent ceasefire. This move was echoed by representatives from the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), and other groups affiliated with the AFL-CIO, collectively representing over 454,000 workers nationwide.

Growing Political Backing: Four new Members of Congress issued statements during the hunger strike, urging a permanent ceasefire. Throughout the week, constituents flooded Congress with over 16,134 letters in support of the hunger strikers, while 541 individuals fasted remotely, and over 3,000 phone calls were made to Congress demanding immediate action.

Current Situation in Gaza:

Rising Casualties: The hunger strike coincided with a distressing increase in casualties, with over 180 Palestinians killed by the Israeli military since the temporary pause in attacks ended. Alarming statistics reveal that more than 15,000 people, including over 6,150 children, have lost their lives in Gaza over the past eight weeks.

Dire Humanitarian Crisis: The hunger strikers drew attention to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for a permanent ceasefire to facilitate the entry of vital humanitarian aid. The UN World Food Program (WFP) warned of the looming risk of famine and starvation in Gaza without unimpeded access to aid.

Impact of Biden Administration's Policies: The hunger strike aimed to shed light on the consequences of the Biden administration's support for policies leading to starvation in Gaza. With Israel resuming its attacks after a temporary pause, the activists underscored the imperative for immediate action from President Biden to halt the assaults.

Quotes Reflecting the Urgency:

Cynthia Nixon: "President Biden must use this moment to negotiate a permanent ceasefire that will bring all the hostages and political prisoners home and start to lay the foundation for a lasting peace."

Zohran Mamdani: "We began this hunger strike to illustrate what President Biden’s continued political and military support for Israel is doing to millions of innocent Palestinians today."

Mark Dimondstein (APWU): "We call on our government, which is the primary foreign benefactor of the Israeli government, to use all its power to protect innocent lives and to help bring about peace in the region."

As the hunger strike concluded on December 1, it marked a significant chapter in the ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. With political and celebrity endorsements, growing labor support, and increased political backing, the movement for a permanent ceasefire continues to gain momentum, pressing for immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people.