Choi Ends DADT Hunger Strike

BY Advocate.com Editors

June 02 2010 9:45 PM ET

Lt. Dan Choi announced late Wednesday that he is ending a week-long hunger strike protesting the legislative compromise over "don't ask, don't tell."

"The fast of the past seven days has been a success because people have been educated to the use of fasting as a tool to bring attention to a set of clear political and social demands," Choi said in a statement of the protest he began on May 27 with Capt. James Pietrangelo II, an army veteran who was discharged under DADT in 2004 (Choi, who serves in the National Guard, currently faces ongoing discharge proceedings under the policy).

"Tonight, we will end the fast knowing that the inadequacies of the ‘compromise’ to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ are well known," Choi said.

Choi and Pietrangelo had made three demands to President Barack Obama as part of the protest: approve a comprehensive nondiscrimination policy for gay and lesbian soldiers, halt all discharges under the ban, and end the Pentagon's working group study on DADT repeal.

Choi's full statement:

Friends,

The fast of the past seven days has been a success because people have been educated to the use of fasting as a tool to bring attention to a set of clear political and social demands.

Tonight, we will end the fast knowing that the inadequacies of the ‘compromise’ to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ are well known. Our quest to end the discharges, stop the insulting study, and institute a non-discrimination policy is not over. In the coming weeks, we will prepare to resume our fast and will provide many ways for those who believe in uncompromising justice to join us.
On a personal note, we have learned a great deal about the proper planning involved in fasting. We appreciate the concerns that many have expressed. When this fast is resumed, we will be using the proper safeguards to ensure our health is properly attended to. Everyone that considers fasting for an extended period of time must also take proper precautions.

Dan Choi