Hunger Strike Garners Support, Scorn, and Snark

Columbia University's hunger strike makes some gains, but the student government condemns it.


More than a week has passed since the start of a Columbia University hunger strike, which is being staged to protest parts of an expansion plan, lobby for more support for a race and ethnicity center, and call for a stronger administrative response to recent bias incidents on campus. Since then, 70 supporters have gathered for a candlelight vigil, one striker has been hospitalized, hunger strike alumni and local residents have voiced support, professors have joined in, and the administration actually has made some concessions.

The reaction, though, has not been entirely positive. The student government condemned the strike as a "show of sensationalism," while the College Republicans took a more passive-aggressive route, holding signs asking the protesters a question with an obvious answer: "Hungry?"

Columbia University

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