Young hunger strikers demand immigrant rights

Over a dozen activists in Houston’s Latino community began a six-day hunger strike on May Day, called by the Coalition in Defense of Immigrants. Each day the fasters sat outside for eight hours in front of a different location, including the headquarters of both major electoral parties, the office of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), and in two popular community parks.

Hunger strikers at Burnet Bayland Park. Photo: Liana Lopez

Each day members of the coalition as well as other organizations and activists came out to support the strike. On the last day, the crowd in Moody Park was treated to hours of Indigenous dances from Mexico. The performers were in strikingly colorful Native clothing and headdresses adorned with long pheasant feathers, considered sacred by Indigenous people.

Six youths fasted for the full six days and others participated for a day or two in solidarity. In the initial press statement, the coalition stated, “We are coming together in condemnation of our society’s shameful treatment of immigrants and its unwillingness to protect their fundamental human rights and dignity.” News coverage was generated in Houston for immigrant rights and against the raids, particularly in El Día, Houston’s daily Spanish-language paper.