Mia Farrow will go on 21-day hunger strike for Darfur solidarity

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Mia Farrow is still talking about the human rights travesty that is Darfur, even though very few people are listening. Instead of doing a round of talk shows, Mia decided to go on a 21-day hunger strike, to show her solidarity with the Darfurians and displaced Sudanese refugees. Her doctor is worried that a 21-day hunger strike could kill the 64-year-old actress and activist, but she says no one can talk her out of it.

On March 4, the International Criminal Court finally issued a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. Considering no one country, and no coalition of countries is willing to actually march into Khartoum to put the handcuffs on Omar al-Beshir, nothing has happened since the warrant was issued. Instead, al-Beshir expelled international aid agencies from Sudan, and has encouraged the splinter militia groups to terrorize any aid workers and agencies operating close to Sudan’s border. Several aid workers have been kidnapped – from Doctors Without Borders and the French relief group Aide Medicale Internationale, amongst others.

Mia Farrow is so determined to embark on a potentially dangerous hunger strike, not even her doctor can talk her out of it.

The 64-year-old actress and humanitarian plans to begin fasting on Monday, and she has set a limit of 21 days – or until her health worsens. Farrow, who will drink water only, says she approached her doctor for advice, asserting, “Please don’t even try to talk me out of this.”

Farrow’s hunger strike is a show of solidarity with the people of Darfur. She was inspired to do it after the Sudanese government expelled international aid agencies from the country last month. Farrow says her doctor will be on call. In preparation, she’s taking vitamins and eating fruits and vegetables, and she’s gained 9 pounds.

“I’m just an actress,” Farrow said Wednesday by phone from her home in rural Connecticut. “I’m not presuming anybody will care whether I starve to death or whether I go on a long hunger strike or what. But it’s a personal matter. I can’t be among those that watch – and I honestly couldn’t think of anything else to do.”

Farrow said her doctor wants to conduct a blood test two weeks after she begins the protest. “I don’t know what will happen – I have no idea,” she said. “I looked it up online just to see kind of what to expect, and the reason I’m gonna try to go for three weeks is because you do permanent, irreversible damage, possibly to your organs. … But it is a punishment to the body for sure.”

Farrow is willing to take the risk. She’s been to the Darfur region 11 times and feels compelled to return repeatedly on the peoples’ behalf to “try to tell a world that seems not to care at all what’s happening to them.”

Last year, Farrow became a vocal opponent of the Beijing Olympics, calling on China to use its close ties to the Sudanese Arab-dominated government to end the conflict in Darfur. As an alternative to the Olympics, Farrow aired a series of webcasts showing the poor living conditions of ethnic African refugees displaced by the fighting.

The war in Darfur began in early 2003 when rebel groups rose up against the government complaining of discrimination and neglect. U.N. officials say up to 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million have fled their homes.

“My goal is to one day build a museum for Darfur’s people – in Darfur,” Farrow said. “Where the young people who’ve grown up in the midst of violence and in deplorable conditions in camps will be able to go to that museum and reclaim what’s theirs.”

Farrow, who has collected 40 hours of video footage of traditional ceremonies and other rites that are rarely performed in dark times, expects to return to camps on the Sudan-Chad border sometime this year.

But first, she has to get through her fast.

“I’m going to spend time with each of my children between now and Monday and try to, you know, really alleviate whatever worries they might have or concerns. … I’m still a parent and I don’t want to die.”

[From The Huffington Post]

Will Mia’s hunger strike accomplish anything? Well, we’re talking about it, so at the very least, a few more people are aware that the Darfur problem still exists, and people are still dying. On Sunday, hundreds of protesters came to Washington to promote Genocide Awareness Month, and there are calls for President Obama to step up and get more involved in the crisis. When he came into office, Obama appointed a special envoy to Sudan, but has done little else. My take on the situation is that until we economically and politically extract Chinese interests from Sudan, little will be done.

Here’s Mia Farrow at the Eleventh Hour – A Day for Darfur event in London in 2007. Images thanks to WENN.com .
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14 Responses to “Mia Farrow will go on 21-day hunger strike for Darfur solidarity”

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  1. barneslr says:

    A worthy cause, but a stupid and useless stunt.

  2. Annie says:

    I applaud her for her bravery.

    And why is it stupid?

    Ghandi held a hunger strike.

    I don’t think many would consider Ghandi stupid, or useless. 🙂

  3. barneslr says:

    “I applaud her for her bravery.

    And why is it stupid?

    Ghandi held a hunger strike.

    I don’t think many would consider Ghandi stupid, or useless.”

    Sorry…how is it brave? I’m afraid I don’t get what’s “brave” about choosing to jeopardize your health by starving yourself; especially when she herself acknowledges that it will simply do no good.

    It is stupid because she is an older woman who is choosing…CHOOSING…to endanger her health for no purpose (as she already acknowledged)

    And…seriously…you are comparing her to Ghandi? Really?

    That simply shows you know nothing about Ghandi to insult him by the comparison.

  4. Ron says:

    But who will care for the original octomom’s 420 kids?

  5. geronimo says:

    Wouldn’t call it stupid or useless but, although coming from a genuine place, I do think it’s an empty, borderline mawkish gesture. There are better ways for her to use her clout than this.

    Yes, it’ll get headlines and the media will do its usual handwringing, but it’s unlikely to make the slightest bit of difference to the stance the Sudanese Govt has taken re the expelled aid groups. Far too many other agendas at play here.

  6. tigerlille says:

    I understand Mia’s frustration about the Darfur situation. I wish she wouldn’t go on a hunger strike, but I do respect her decision.

  7. Annie says:

    And…seriously…you are comparing her to Ghandi? Really?

    That simply shows you know nothing about Ghandi to insult him by the comparison.

    God no. I’m not comparing her to Ghandi. I’m noting the fact that the person said a “hunger strike was stupid”

    I’m not saying she’s Ghandi, but I am saying that her particular method for this case is the one Ghandi used.

    And she’s brave because she’s STANDING UP FOR SOMETHING. God, I love how everyone likes to tear down attempts at goodwill.

  8. JUDY says:

    Oh please
    try something that will work like raise the money to hire some mercanaries to go get that bastard!
    No ne cares if you dont eat after all halfd the people over there are starving for cripes sake.

  9. girly says:

    It makes me care. The fact that she cares so much about this cause she’s willing to go without food for 21 days- I think it does exactly what she’s striving to do – it shows an intense solidarity with the refugees. What else can she do? What else should she do? She said she cant just sit there and WATCH. Visiting hasn’t helped. Pleading with govt hasnt helped. Donating money hasnt helped. If more people joined her cause the right people might actually pay attention.

  10. cara says:

    Remember when the Rev. Al Sharpton went on the hunger strike after being imprisoned for protesting the bombing of Vasquez Island, well (summer before 9/11) homeboy lost a TON of weight and has maintained it off. Much needed weight, I might add. Mia Farrow does NOT have enough body fat to go on a hunger strike for four days let alone 21. I understand her cause, but I too feel that there must be a better way, like boycotting products from China maybe. (research that connection on your own)

  11. Orangejulius says:

    She just doesn’t have the body weight to even be considering this. I applaud her motives, and no doubt she’ll raise awareness with the fast, but damn, I don’t want to see her at the end of it.

  12. paranel says:

    I admire Mia and her big heart for humanity. She has always had that even way before it was trendy in Hollywood. Stay strong Mia.

  13. barneslr says:

    “Visiting hasn’t helped. Pleading with govt hasnt helped. Donating money hasnt helped.”

    And the rich white lady starving herself is going to help how, exactly…?

  14. girly says:

    it’s going to help her deal with what she’s witnessed over there, by showing solidarity with those who are also starving. It’s not going to help anything else, obviously.