Joseph Kennedy Joins Immigration Reform Hunger Strike

Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy, has joined the immigration reform hunger strike in Washington DC. After the first group of protesters ended their 22-day fast in front of the Capitol, political reinforcements have arrived to support the cause. As Dolores Huerta, founder of the Syndicate of Farm Workers suggested, the move has a certain historical resonance with previous immigrant movements such as those initiated by Cesar Chavez: "the first time it was Senator Robert Kennedy, and the second time it was Joe Kennedy, the father of the young man with us now."

The hunger strike activists were joined in solidarity by other politicians including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Minnesota Reps Keith Ellison and Betty McCollum began a one-day fast in support of the movement. The hunger strike began on November 12 to protest the lack of significant immigration reforms in congress. The strikers, lead by Eliseo Medina, an Secretary-Treasurer from the Syndicate of Employees and Services, marched with Cesar Chavez during protests in the 60s.

The "Fast 4 Families" movement is demanding comprehensive immigration reforms and for an end to deportations. Since 2009, the US has dported over 1.6 million migrants, an average of 1,200 per day. In June the Senate approved plan S. 744 which included a path to citizenship for undocumented migrants. However, the Republican-led congress has decided to pass a fragmentary version of the bill which leans towards legalization over citizenship.