Protestors Launch Hunger Strike For Gaza At Princeton University

PRINCETON, NJ — Days after 13 students were arrested on campus, protestors have now launched a hunger strike for Gaza.

Fourteen Princeton students began their hunger strike in solidarity with Palestinians on Friday, according to the Princeton Gaza Solidarity Encampment.

“We are drawing from the tradition of Palestinian political prisoners going on saltwater-only hunger strikes in Israeli prisons since 1968,” the group said in media coinference.

"To make bread Gazans have been forced to use animal feed as flour. To break their fast at Ramadan Gazans have been forced to prepare meals of grass... they've been forced to drink dirty saltwater to survive," a student said.

The hunger strike is also to draw attention to their other demands. The protestors want to meet with administrators to discuss divestment and academic and cultural boycott of Israel. They also want Princeton to drop all criminal and disciplinary action against participants of the sit-in and to reverse all campus bans and evictions of students.

"We refuse to be silenced by the University administration’s intimidation and repression tactics," a student said during the press conference. "We struggle together in solidarity with the people of Palestine. We commit our bodies to their liberation."

The 13 Princeton students who were arrested Monday night said they were immediately removed and barred from campus. This happened after they took over Clio Hall on Monday night for a sit-in that lasted 90 minutes.

Prof. Ruha Benjamin also criticized the University's version of events of what transpired at Clio Hall, calling it "misleading" in a public statement.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com