Homelessness Hunger Strike Relay - Day 1

http://www.2010homelessness.ca/

The Issue

The 2010 Homelessness Hunger Strike Relay began in Vancouver at the beginning of the new year. It was created as an active symbol to have the federal government really respond to the homeless crises in Canada by having re-established the National Housing Program based on the One Percent Solution.

Every week we have new volunteers take on the Wooden Spoon and fast for 7 days (They can drink juice). We will carry on the relay past the 2010 Winter Olympics straight into June 2010. This will commemorate the On To Ottawa Trek.

At this point people will board the train to Ottawa with petition in hand and show the government that we are seriously demanding the national housing program and the One Percent Solution to be put in place. We intend to let the international community know what's happening and what the solution is.

Why me? Why a hunger strike?

Why a hunger strike? Well if you follow the link above you'll read that a hunger strike is a method of non-violent resistance or pressure in which participants fast as an act of political protest, or to provoke feelings of guilt in others, usually with the objective to achieve a specific goal, such as a policy change. And it needs to be publicized to be effective.

Why me? Many reasons. I live in a neighbourhood deeply affected by homelessness. And by homelessness I don't just mean people living rough outside. Homelessness is simply the fact of not having a stable place to start and end your day from. People 'living' in shelters, single room occupancy hotels, and sharing temporarily with others are homeless in my book. I live in a community house that shares a little bit of space with some of these people when it's available. And I feel strongly about using a variety of techniques and approaches in our activism to educate and politicize people, to make things happen. I'm a fan of non-violent direct action and so a hunger strike is right up my alley. If I didn't have to carry on going to work everyday this next week, I'd consider spending some time in a public place telling people about the Relay and the issue.