WHERE THERE IS POWER, THERE IS RESISTANCE

Twenty-nine years ago today, Bobby Sands first refused food, starting what became a 66-day hunger strike to the death. Another 22 men followed him into hunger strike, 9 of these dying.

As resistance to power, self-starvation is the ultimate protest.

There is currently a hunger strike in Yarl's Wood asylum detention centre in protest at the inhumane conditions and lack of medical attention they receive. The fact they are prepared to starve themselves and ultimately die should speak volumes. The media gave more publicity to the 1981 hunger strike involving an outlawed terrorist organisation than they have given to this strike, involving women who are seeking refuge from violence and persecution.


I am more terrible than armies,
I am more feared than the cannon.

Kings and chancellors give commands;
I give no command to any;

But I am listened to more than kings
And more than passionate orators.

I unswear words, and undo deeds.
Naked things know me.

I am first and last to be felt of the living.
I am Hunger.

-Laurence Binyon