FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Melissa Garriga | [email protected]
Hunger Strike for Ceasefires in Gaza and Ukraine Instead of More Money for War
WASHINGTON, D.C. - CODEPINK member Leslie Angeline announced today her intention to commence a hunger strike on Tuesday, October 17th, 2023 to call on Congress to support a ceasefire in Gaza. Angeline, a 66-year-old dedicated peace and justice activist, will conduct visits and sit-ins at the offices of senators and congresspeople, urging them to publicly advocate for a ceasefire; access to food, water and medicines for the people of Gaza; and no more weapons to Israel.
"The situation in Gaza is catastrophic and I just can’t sit by and watch Palestinian civilians being bombed, starved, deprived of clean water, food, electricity,” said Angeline, who flew to Washington D.C. from California so she could begin her fast in Congressional offices. “We need to immediately insist on a ceasefire and de-escalation, instead of sending more weapons to Israel and giving it a green light to carry out war crimes.”
Angeline will be joined by CODEPINK and other activists as they move from office to office in the House and Senate. Due to the urgency of the moment, some of their activities will involve civil disobedience.
Angeline previously undertook a 23-day hunger strike in 2007 to stop a war with Iran and support the Iran nuclear deal.
The group will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 am in the hall outside the Rayburn Cafeteria. For more information, contact: Melissa Garriga, [email protected] or Medea Benjamin, [email protected].
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