Northwestern U. Community Organizes Hunger Strike for Saberi

By Anthonia Akitunde in News on May 2, 2009 4:30PM

Members of the Northwestern community are organizing a hunger strike in solidarity with imprisoned American journalist, Roxana Saberi. The hunger strike - organized by the FreeRoxana campaign - will last from May 3 to May 15. Volunteers are asked to fast in 24-hour shifts. As of this morning, more than 100 people have signed up. Alexis Grant, FreeRoxana campaign manager, told the Daily Northwestern she will fast this Sunday "so that Roxana doesn't have to."

Saberi, 32, who has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment for espionage by an Iranian court, began refusing food on April 21 in protest. She denies the charges against her. According to the Los Angeles Times, Saberi's father said she was "very weak" and only drinking sweetened liquids.

While Saberi's father said she has lost 10-pounds during her hunger strike, Iranian authorities said she is in good health and deny that Saberi is refusing food, according to a FreeRoxana press release. [The Daily Northwestern, Tribune]