A true “hunger strike” involves starving oneself to death, if one’s demands are not met
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If I remember correctly, a few years back some IRA prisoners, in the hands of the Brits decided to do a ‘hunger strike’
The Brits said sure, selected a ring leader and -
We will just put you in isolation with an extra guard to make sure no one encourages you to eat against your will.
After one got ‘pulled out’ because he was sick, another vol took his place.
He was succesful in his hunger srrike.
There were no more volunteers and the rest of the prisoners went back to eating.
Now that is stupid, but I do admire a person that sticks to his guns and follows the old, traditional route.
Todays hunger strikes - much like filibusters - are very wimpish when it comes to the ‘oldies but goodies’.
Kieran Doherty lasted the longest - 73 days.
The leader was Bobby Sands.
His sister led the campaign to make him a "martyr" and a "hero" - later she helped plan the Omagh atrocity.