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House Democrat to join immigration fast

November 20, 2013
Article

Politico

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/house-democrats-immigration-fast-jan-schakowsky-100094.html

Several activists have been fasting on the National Mall for more than a week to bring attention to the push for comprehensive immigration reform – and a Democratic lawmaker is about to join their cause.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) said in an interview Tuesday that she’ll fast for one day to mark solidarity with the activists, who are trying to highlight the effect of U.S. immigration laws on families in their “Fast for Families” initiative. The fast began on Nov. 12 and the fasters have each lost 10 pounds so far, organizers said.

“I’m so inspired by the fasters and … how they’re willing to put their bodies on the lines, their health on the line to raise attention to an issue that is really tearing at the fabric of our country,” Schakowsky said. She said she plans to abstain from food on Thursday as she works at the Capitol, consuming only water.

Top lawmakers and administration officials – such as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack – have trekked to the Mall to talk with the fasters. Their latest guest is Rev. Jesse Jackson, who met with them on Tuesday evening.

Schakowsky was also among the eight House Democrats who were arrested in October in an act of civil disobedience during a pro-reform immigration rally on the Mall. She is now circulating a “Dear Colleague” letter among fellow lawmakers, asking them to join her in the one-day fast.

“Some 500 feet from our offices, these fasters are putting their health on the line to emphasize that comprehensive immigration reform cannot wait, and that the House must act,” Schakowsky wrote to her colleagues. “I join them in calling on the Republican House leadership to stop delaying and call a vote on comprehensive immigration reform, and I ask you to join me in fasting for one day in solidarity with these courageous leaders.”

The activists who have been abstaining from food for eight days are: Eliseo Medina of the Service Employees International Union; Dae Joong Yoon of the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium; Cristian Avila of Mi Familia Vota; Lisa Sharon Harper of Sojourners; and the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. They have vowed to fast until they are no longer physically able to do so.