Hunger strike of Larry Hebert

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On March 31, 2024 Larry Hebert, a Senior Airman in the U.S. Air Force, started a hunger strike during an authorized leave from his post. Hebert's leave was terminated on April 9.

Hunger strike of Larry Hebert
Part of the Israel–Hamas war protests in the United States
Larry Hebert on the first day of his hunger strike in front of the White House in Washington, D.C.[1]
DateMarch, April 2024
LocationWashington, D.C., United States
TypeHunger strike
MotiveOpposition to United States support for Israel's war in Gaza.
Organised byLarry Hebert, Veterans For Peace
ParticipantsLarry Hebert, Marshall Burns, Jeffrey Berger, Najjam Malik, Margaret Stevens

The announced purpose of the strike was "to highlight the plight of the starving children of Gaza," demanding that the United States end its military support of Israel's war in Gaza.[1]

Background

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Larry Hebert (pronounced eh-BEAR) is a U.S. Air Force Senior Airman and avionics technician assigned to Naval Station Rota, Spain.[2][3] At the time of his hunger strike, Hebert had been in the military for six years, having enlisted in September 2018.[2]

Event

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Larry Hebert in an interview on Democracy Now on April 2, 2024[4]

In mid-March 2024, Hebert, age 26, took authorized leave from his assignment at Naval Station Rota, Spain, and traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in demonstrations demanding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to visit Congressional offices to press for stopping weapons shipments to Israel.[2][1]

At 10:00 am on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, Hebert began his hunger strike on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House.[5] The strike was announced that day by a news release from Veterans For Peace with the stated purpose "to highlight the plight of the starving children of Gaza." He wore a sign that read, "Active duty airman refuses to eat while Gaza starves," with a photograph of an emaciated infant.[5][1] Hebert noted that he was inspired by the self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell.[2][4]

Shortly before his hunger strike, Hebert joined Veterans For Peace, an organization that opposes U.S. military actions.[4] The organization argues that U.S. weapons shipments to Israel is a violation of U.S. law, specifically the Foreign Assistance Act, Arms Export Control Act, War Crimes Act, Leahy Law, and the Genocide Convention Implementation Act.[1][3]

 
Flier handed out to the public by Larry Hebert during his hunger strike in Washington, D.C. in March and April 2024

His fast was ended abruptly on April 9, when Hebert was ordered to report immediately to Andrews Air Force Base for a return flight to his post in Spain.[citation needed]

 
Medea Benjamin and Larry Hebert waiting for testimony of Lloyd Austin at a Senate hearing on April 9, 2024

On the second day of his hunger strike, Hebert said he had received at least 30 emails from veterans thanking him for his courage, and noted that in-person reactions were mostly positive.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Active Duty Air Force Airman On White House Hunger Strike for the Starving Children of Gaza, Veterans For Peace, News release, March 31, 2024
  2. ^ a b c d Airman Starts Hunger Strike at White House over Gaza, Inspired by Another Airman's Self-Immolation Death, Military.com, April 1, 2024
  3. ^ a b c Airman on hunger strike at White House over Gaza support, Task & Purpose, April 1, 2024
  4. ^ a b c Active-Duty U.S. Airman, Inspired by Aaron Bushnell, on Hunger Strike Outside White House over Gaza, Democracy Now, April 2, 2024
  5. ^ a b "Israel's war on Gaza: List of key events, day 178". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-05-20.

Other coverage

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