Fresno community ‘Fast For Gaza’ in movement showing support for Palestinians

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – People in support of a nationwide movement are bringing the cause to Fresno.

“Fast for Gaza” is a week of action, with the support of Veterans for Peace and other peace and justice organizations.

Veterans for Peace across the country launched a 40-day Fast for Gaza beginning on May 22.

Protestors in downtown Fresno on Wednesday held up signs, showing their support and solidarity for Palestinians.

Rocio Estrada said she wants to use her voice for the children in Gaza.

“I feel like the least I could do is fast and not eat today because I know that there are so many kids starving in Gaza,” Estrada said.

Joshua Shurley with the local chapter of Veterans for Peace said the non-profit is dedicated to sharing and highlighting the cost of war.

“This act of doing the fast this is kind of in line with the last few months of all aid being blockaded going into Gaza. And the average man, woman and child in Gaza is only taking in about 250 calories per day,” Shurley said.

He said the fast for Gaza is a small way of putting themselves in the shoes of Palestinians.

“We have the privilege of sleeping in a warm bed at night. We have the privilege of safety. Nobody’s hunting us and trying to kill us on the streets while we are going through the fast,” Shurley said.

Stan Santos with “Raza Against War” said this protest is a call to the community, shedding light on a critical moment in Palestine.

“They’re discovering just a large increasing number of horribly wounded and wounded by in some cases, not just small arms fire, but tank rounds were fired at civilians in the last 24 hours,” Santos said.

Santos said he plans to fast for 14 more days.

He hopes the message gets through to government leaders.

“We hope that it does raise the alarm, and maybe we get the message through to Jim Costa and Alex Padilla and California representatives, because they have to stop the weapons shipments,” Santos said.

People participating in the fast are consuming 250 calories a day until June 30, representing the calories people in Gaza are eating since the war began.