7th Day of Stanford Fast:

Palo Alto, CA – Today, the Stanford student fast stretches into its seventh day as differences between administration and students remain. Students will rally at noon today behind the fasting students. State Assemblywoman Elaine Alquist will speak at the rally to voice her support for the fast.

Alquist is one of several prominent figures who have recently endorsed the fast. Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, has strongly supported the fasters by visiting them for two days and fasting in solidarity for one day. Jesse Jackson will issue a public statement today announcing his hope that the University will soon recognize the fasters’ concerns. In a draft version of the statement, Jackson addressed the University’s responsibility to workers: “.We will be judged in the end by how we treat the neediest. [...] These are the people that clean the bathrooms, that clear the grounds, that make the food. They keep the university running; they need a say in the policies that impact them.”

Last evening renowned environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill announced she was fasting in solidarity today: “The faces of the people who are part of the workings of our daily lives so often go unnoticed. These are the people that do the work that is the glue holding our lives together. Many of these people are not getting the respect and support that they justly deserve and is incumbent upon all of us who desire respect and justice in our lives to stand in support of these people, so I too am fasting in solidarity.”

The increasing support from public figures matches the growing support among students at Stanford and across the country. Petition signatures have eclipsed 1700; nearly 400 faxes have reached President Hennessy’s office, and yesterday’s rally drew over 400 students, one of the largest student demonstrations at Stanford in years. Over 70 Stanford community members will fast in solidarity today.

Negotiations began at 7am yesterday and continued into the late evening. Although both sides made compromises, they could not reach an agreement. Negotiations are expected to resume today. Students are increasingly concerned for the fasters’ health. “I see the resolve in their faces,” said caretaker senior Lavanya Chekuru, “but I can also see the toll it has taken on their bodies. I can only hope the University doesn’t push their bodies further.”

Continue the support by signing the online petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/stancoc/petition.html