Students protesting U.S. military action in Afghanistan are planning a 56 hour fast to draw attention to what they see as the plight of the Afghan people.

"We’re fasting for peace, but more generally for the people of Afghanistan," Zak Meyer-Krings ’02, one of the fasters, said. Students from all of the five colleges will be coming together to participate in the fast, which prospective fasters indicated would most likely be held on Pomona’s campus.

The fast is planned to coincide with similar events at several other colleges, including Occidental College. McAlister is being considered as a possible site for the event. A core group of students have indicated that they will fast for the full 56 hours, ingesting only water. Some other students will fast for a lesser amount of time, and some will ingest fruit juice or eat small amounts of fruit.

At present, the fasters plan to wear blue armbands, and urge those who support their cause to wear green armbands. Opening and closing ceremonies of some sort are also being considered.

This fast is planned as part of on-going series of events in support of peace. "I hope this will be a series of peaceful non-violent actions taken in favor of the peace effort," Meyer-Krings said.

Ilana Blankman ’04 sent out an email message last week to students asking those interested in organizing this event to meet at the Women’s Union this week to discuss it.

The fast will begin at 9 am on November 7 and end at 5 pm on November 9. Some faculty members are planning a "teach-in" to accompany the last day of fasting, from 11 am to 5 pm. "We believe that America has to acknowledge the role that it plays in the world," Meyer-Krings said.