Occupy DC Hunger Strike: Protesters Began Fast For D.C. Voting Rights

WASHINGTON -- Three Occupy DC protesters began a hunger strike for D.C. voting rights, full budget autonomy and full legislative autonomy at 12 noon Thursday.

After their last meal, Adrian Parsons, Sam Jewler and Kelly Mears vow to only drink water and take multivitamins until "D.C. has a vote," said Parsons. Corryn Freeman, another Occupy DC protester, will be joining the hunger strike for the first 24 hours.

For their last meal, they ate a tofu and vegetable stir fry, black bean quesadillas, and spinach, carrot and barley smoothies.

Every other day starting this weekend, nurses will come for two hours to address the hunger strikers' medical needs. A separate tent was set up for them in McPherson Square. It will offer the bare essentials, including a rug and blankets, propane heaters, and a camera for 24/7 livestreaming.

"We want them to be as transparent as possible," Freeman said.

On Friday at 11 a.m., Parsons, Jewler and Mears plan to visit the congressional office of House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), who recently introduced a bill that would give the District greater autonomy over its budget. There they will present a statement -- read it here -- with their demands for ending the strike.