Students at SOAS in London announced today that they will be joining an international campaign of 24 hour hunger strikes in solidarity with Egyptian detainees beginning on 22 September. Nearly 90 Egyptians are on hunger strike in prisons and police stations across the country in protest at the military’s crackdown on human rights. Over 200 activists have joined them in solidarity strikes which are winning support from journalists, lawyers and human rights campaigners.

In response to a call by the Freedom for the Brave campaign in Egypt for international solidarity action on 21 and 22 September, SOAS activists are calling for others to join them in a relay of hunger strikes reaching a total of 1000 hours.

Alice Finden, a postgraduate student studying Gender and Law at SOAS said:

“I am taking part in the hunger strike in solidarity with brave Egyptian activists who are in jail because of their protest against the oppressive laws in place in Egypt. Only through solidarity and unity can we spread the word about the restriction on freedoms in Egypt. Please join us in support of this important cause!”

She will be joined by fellow SOAS students Matija Vlatkovic, Farida Hammad, Mariam Kirollos, Tessa Stienen and Nancy Salem.

Activists will gather outside SOAS main entrance at 1pm on 25 September for a symbolic “Empty plates” protest to highlight the detainees’ campaign for justice.

What you can do:

• Get involved with the 1000 hours campaign – find out more here
• If you are at SOAS or in London download the leaflet for SOAS students and staff here [pdf]
• Come to the protest on 25 September, 1pm SOAS main entrance. Facebook event here. Leaflet/poster here [pdf]