Posted on 09/18/2007 6:56:24 AM PDT by MplsSteve
Wearing an armband with the word "fast" on it, Sofi Shank admits that her decision to put her body on the line for her beliefs isn't sitting well with her parents.
"They're really concerned about my health," said Shank, 19, a University of Minnesota freshman. "My dad hasn't been getting sleep; he's been calling me all the time."
On Monday, Shank was one of 11 university students who began a hunger strike in support of striking clerical, health care and technical workers. The students -- who are also being joined by one professor and a university civil service employee -- will drink water and juice, but they vow not to eat again until the university settles the contract dispute with the AFSCME-represented workers.
The university called the hunger strike "unfortunate," and even the striking workers, who rejected an administration offer last week for a lump sum payment in lieu of a higher raise, aren't all thrilled with it.
But the 11 students say they will sit in chairs each day just outside of Morrill Hall, the primary administration building.
"The administration is set on busting this union, so we're pushed into this as our last resort," said Shank, who grew up in southwest Minneapolis. "Will the administration listen? All we can do is try. For our own health, we hope the answer is yes."
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
If we wait long enough and they actually do starve themselves to the afterlife - no more protest. If they don't stick to their own convictions and promises, they discredit themselves anyway.
What a bunch of losers.
You’re mean and hateful.
I like that!
GREAT. More food for me.
This girl (child would be a better word) is an idiot. Let her starve (although I doubt it’ll come to that - current odds 20 to 1) and maybe she’ll actually learn something at the sinkhole known as the U of M.
I mean that in the nicest possible way.
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